How Red Sox Pitcher Fared In Latest Rehab Start

Boston Red Sox rookie Hunter Dobbins made his latest rehab start with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on Saturday in what could be his final tuneup before being recalled to the Major League roster. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 22 with a right elbow strain.

With struggling right-hander Walker Buehler toeing the rubber for Boston against the Washington Nationals down in the nation’s capital, another poor start for Buehler would likely have signaled a major change in the Red Sox rotation moving forward, with Dobbins his likely replacement.

While Buehler put together his best start in nearly a month against the Nationals in D.C., Dobbins’ start with the Sea Dogs was equally electric. The 25-year-old right-hander pitched five innings, allowing one run and two hits, while striking out eight without allowing a walk on 62 pitches.

Dominant for most of his start, Dobbins got into a bit of trouble during the second inning when he allowed a leadoff double to New Hampshire’s Charles McAdoo, who came around to score the first run of the game later in the inning. Dobbins bounced back to get consecutive batters out and limited the damage to a single run.

Dobbins shut down New Hampshire’s offense from that point on and didn’t allow another base runner over his final three innings of work. He also notched five swinging strikeouts during that span and left the mound with the game tied 1-1.

What’s next for Dobbins is currently unknown. In 10 starts with the Red Sox this season, he has a record of 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. While it remains to be seen what the future holds for Buehler after his bounce-back performance against the Nationals on Saturday, Dobbins could return to the Red Sox rotation once he’s activated off the 15-day IL.