Positive Injury Updates Could Push Ryan Brasier, Kaleb Ort Off Roster

The Boston Red Sox's pitching staff has been lackluster at best to open the season. Fortunately, help is on the way.

After only six games, the Red Sox have shown that their very own pitching staff is their greatest threat thus far.

After allowing a whopping 38 runs through only two series, fans have started to point a finger toward the pitching staff for the Red Sox’s early struggles. The silver lining is a possible new-look roster in the forthcoming weeks as some starters near a return from the injured list.

Red Sox right-handed star Garrett Whitlock is expected to make his season debut on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo on Wednesday.

Whitlock is far from the only hurler on the mend. Here are a myriad of other pitching updates:

“Brayan Bello threw five innings and 72 pitches in Fort Myers in an extended spring training game,” The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier tweeted Wednesday.

“(James) Paxton threw three innings today. Good Velo. Will stay in Fort Myers this week,” Cotillo tweeted Monday. “Joely Rodriguez and Wyatt Mills started playing catch.”

With some big names coming back to the roster, Kaleb Ort and Ryan Brasier are expected to be the first two players designated for assignment. Presuming they pass waivers, both players could be just weeks away from heading down to Triple-A Worcester.

Zack Kelly is another name to monitor as a potential demotion candidate when both Rodriguez and Mills return.

Whitlock is the most-prominent pitcher on the mend and will push Kutter Crawford out of the rotation upon return. Crawford could stay in Boston and pitch out of the bullpen but it's more likely they'd keep him stretched out in Worcester with Josh Winckowski shining in the long-reliever role early on.

The rotation needs to be shaken up as it’s been an early disappointment; wishful minds are hoping to see Bello, Whitlock, Paxton join the starting staff with Rodriguez and Mills aiding the bullpen.

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