How Injured Red Sox Starting Pitcher Fared In First Rehab Outing

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts returned to the mound in game action for the first time in over a month Thursday.

Fitts, who has been on the injured list since April 13 with a right pectoral strain, made his first rehab start with Double-A Portland and turned in a very solid showing.

Fitts tossed three scoreless innings, in which he allowed four hits, no walks and struck out two in Portland’s 6-3 win over the Reading Fightin Phils. The 25-year-old Fitts pounded the strike zone, throwing 31 of his 38 for strikes.

It’s unclear how many rehab starts Fitts will need to be ready to rejoin the Red Sox, but it feels like probably two more will do the trick, given that he bounces back fine from his start Thursday.

“I’m super eager (to get back) but I also want to make sure I’m ready whenever I get back,” Fitts told MassLive’s Christopher Smith this past weekend. “I don’t want to rush back and then not help the team win and go out there underperform. So I want to be as ready as I can. I think it’s close, for sure.”

Fitts made three starts for the Red Sox this season and posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.118 WHIP to go along with 13 strikeouts in 17 innings. He logged quality starts in his first two appearances by allowing three runs in six innings against both the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays. Fitts’ last start came April 12 against the Chicago White Sox with him pitching five scoreless frames with five strikeouts and two hits surrendered before being lifted for an injury.

The Red Sox could make room in the starting rotation for Fitts by optioning Hunter Dobbins to Triple-A Worcester. Dobbins has pitched well, though, while Brayan Bello has been erratic and Tanner Houck, who is currently on the IL, and Lucas Giolito have struggled.

Regardless of the move the Red Sox make, they could use Fitts’ consistency every five days as Boston tries to get out of its .500 rut.