Injured Red Sox Pitcher Making ‘Outstanding’ Progress In Road To Return

Things certainly are looking up for injured Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts.

The Red Sox placed the 25-year-old righthander on the injured list April 13 with a strained pectoral muscle. But he was scheduled to throw his first bullpen session Monday and was seen playing long toss Sunday prior to Boston’s loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Usually Red Sox manager Alex Cora takes an even-keeled approach when discussing rehabbing players, but he let his enthusiasm show for how well Fitts’ recovery has gone.

“The progress has been outstanding,” Cora told reporters, per The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham.

There is no timetable for Fitts’ return, but if things keep going the way they are, he could return at the end of this month or in early June.

Fitts was one of three pitchers the Red Sox acquired last offseason from the New York Yankees in exchange for Alex Verdugo and he developed into an unheralded piece in Boston’s rotation.

Fitts tossed back-to-back quality starts to begin this season, but was a tough-luck loser in both outings. He then tossed five scoreless innings in his last start against the Chicago White Sox, which he exited early, before going on the IL. Fitts owns a 3.18 ERA and 1.118 WHIP to go along with 13 strikeouts in 17 innings on the campaign.

But when Fitts does get back to full strength, he might not have a spot in the rotation waiting for him. Walker Buehler, who is dealing with right shoulder bursitis, isn’t expected to stay on the IL for long and Lucas Giolito’s return puts the starting staff at full capacity when everyone is healthy.

That could make Fitts the odd-man out, but he showed he’s a worthy depth piece who can answer the call when needed.