Patrick Sandoval (elbow, biceps) completes rehab start

After sending Connelly Early to the IL, the Red Sox won’t need a fifth starter until July 11, so this may only wind up being a one-game trial for whoever gets the elevation. Tracy said the team would choose either Sandoval or Brayan Bello. That said, the context of Sandoval nearing the end of his 30-day rehab window for players on the IL sure makes it seem like Sandoval will be the first choice if he escapes his Saturday start feeling well.

Sandoval struck out three and walked one while throwing 40 of his 60 pitches for strikes. He sat 92.8 mph on his four-seam fastball, which is about a tick below where we saw him last, and he had just one whiff on nine swings on his changeup. That being said, he commanded the zone well with most of his six pitches and allowed an average exit velocity of 82.8 mph on balls in play. He hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since 2024, but it’s looking like he will be ready to join the Red Sox in some capacity around the All-Star break. However, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reports that teams are already scouting Sandoval’s minor league appearances in the hopes of trading for him since Boston has a full rotation.

Sandoval continues working his way back towards Boston’s pitching staff after a biceps issue stalled his rehabilitation process from elbow surgery. The 29-year-old southpaw hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 21, 2024. He likely remains a couple weeks away from factoring into the Red Sox’ pitching plans.

Sandoval struck out three and walked one, but the one hit he did allow was a solo home run to Nationals INF prospect Yohandy Morales. Sandoval is working his way back from last year’s Tommy John surgery and also biceps tightness from the middle of May. He threw 18 of his 33 pitches for strikes and is still in the early stages of his return.

It qualifies as a step in the right direction for Sandoval, who walked one batter during the abbreviated 16-pitch outing. The 29-year-old southpaw figures to be an option for Boston’s rotation in a couple weeks after building up his pitch count and stamina. He dealt with a biceps issue earlier this spring that slowed down his return timeline from Tommy John surgery.

He’s getting closer. Sandoval figures to spend at least a few starts here if the Red Sox plan to stretch him out. He progressed quickly from a live batting practice session this past Saturday, so Boston must have liked what they saw. If Sandoval continues to show his rehab is going well, he could eventually bump in to Boston’s big-league rotation, but there’s probably no need to stash him in most fantasy leagues at the moment.

Sandoval completed a 30-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday without any issues and should start ramping up his throwing progression later this week. The 29-year-old lefty was shut down with biceps tightness during his minor league rehab assignment last month. He’s been working his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent back in 2024. It doesn’t seem like he’s going to be an option for Boston’s rotation until sometime in the second half of the season.

Sandoval spent all offseason continuing his recovery from last year’s Tommy John surgery and made two rehab starts at Triple-A in April before being sidelined with biceps tightness. The left-hander is already throwing from 90 feet on flat ground and should return to the mound by the end of this week. Provided that goes well, he could face hitters next week and go back on a rehab assignment shortly after that.

It’s merely a procedural move as Sandoval won’t make it back to Boston’s rotation mix until at least late May. The 29-year-old has made two rehab starts for Triple-A Worcester this season as he continues working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Sandoval felt some tightness in his biceps after his last rehab start in Triple-A, but the Red Sox don’t seem overly concerned about the injury. The current plan is to “hope a couple days of rest will do the trick,” so we’ll watch Sandoval’s next rehab start closely to see if there is any reason for concern.