Red Sox Notes: Sox Send Five Pitchers to IL to Start Season

The starting rotation is the most worrisome part of the 2023 Boston Red Sox. The Sox rotation is full of injury concerns and needs to stay healthy if the Sox want to improve on their 78-game win total from a year ago.

But that rotation is already leaking water at the start of the season, as three starters were officially played on the injured list ahead of Opening Day.

#RedSox officially set Opening Day roster. Bello, Mills, Paxton, J-Rod and Whitlock all being placed on 15-day IL as expected. Mondesi to 60-day to clear space for Tapia now official. pic.twitter.com/yigxgnWaNV
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) March 30, 2023

Left-hander James Paxton is on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. The hard-throwing former Mariners and Yankees pitcher has thrown just 1.1 innings in the last two years after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2021.

Righty Garrett Whitlock is finally being committed to as a starter but isn't quite ready to make his debut after undergoing hip surgery. The goal is that he only misses one start.

Youngster Bryan Bello is behind schedule due to an elbow issue from early in spring training. Bello is among the top pitching prospects in the organization. The 23-year-old made his debut last year, pitching to a 4.71 ERA in 13 total appearances. The hope is that he's only slightly behind Whitlock in his recovery.

The Red Sox early season rotation with all these absences is Corey Kluber, Chris Sale, Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Nick Pivetta.

Relivers Wyatt Mills and Joely Rodriguez are also on the injured list to start. Rodriguez especially is being counted onto help a bullpen that blew the sixth most saves in baseball (28) in 2022.

The Red Sox open up the season against the Orioles in an immediate battle of AL East foes.

Baltimore won 83 games a year ago, finishing five games ahead of the Sox. If Boston wants to make noise in 2023, they'll need to get these pitchers healthy.