Eduardo Rivera can’t escape first versus Orioles

No surprise here. Rivera heads back to the minors after surrendering four runs and recording just two outs during the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Orioles. It’ll be Alec Gamboa sticking around as long relief depth for Boston after serving as the club’s 27th man for the twin bill.

Boston will attempt to notch their franchise-record 16th consecutive victory with rookie lefty Eduardo Rivera on the mound and Alec Gamboa coming up from Triple-A Worcester as long relief depth for Wednesday’s nightcap at Fenway Park. Suarez won’t be able to take the ball due to an illness. It’s challenging to pinpoint his exact return date given everything that has transpired in the last few days, but Suárez appears likely to return for either Friday’s series opener against the Blue Jays or Monday’s matchup against the Athletics, if the Red Sox opt to give him a few extra days.

It’s been pouring in Boston for most of the afternoon and the decision was made not to take any chances. It’ll be made up as a doubleheader on Wednesday instead. There’s a chance that Ranger Suarez (groin) will be activated to take the ball during the twin bill, but that isn’t official yet. It was going to be Eduardo Rivera starting on Tuesday night in his place. Orioles starter Kyle Bradish will be pushed back to the doubleheader.

Instead, Eduardo Rivera will get the start. Interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed Monday that Suarez would be get the nod and come off the 15-day IL, but now fantasy managers will need to wait for an update to see when the 30-year-old will return to the mound. It’s worth noting that there is a chance for heavy rain Tuesday evening, and that certainly could be a factor into why the Red Sox are pushing Suarez.

Rivera retired the first two batters he faced to start the top of the first inning, but proceeded to allow the next three batters he faced to reach base. Jonny DeLuca made the most of the bases-loaded opportunity when he singled to drive home Ryan Vilade and Junior Caminero to put the Rays up 2-0. Rivera would make it through the second inning unscathed, but was pulled in the third after allowing a solo homer to Junior Caminero to tie the game at 3-3. Rivera would be pulled immediately after allowing the homer to Caminero, marking his shortest outing of the season. He hasn’t gone more than 3 2/3 innings in any of his three starts. If he gets another outing in the rotation, it will most likely come on Wednesday against the Orioles.

Pitching in Worcester, Rivera hadn’t gotten more than seven outs in an outing in over two months, making today’s performance particularly impressive. He nearly got through four innings hitless, but Jorge Polanco singled off him on the 10th pitch of his second at-bat to end his day. Rivera will likely head back to Triple-A now, but he definitely helped his stock.

Rivera draws the starting assignment for Saturday’s game against the Mets in place of an injured Ranger Suarez. The 23-year-old tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings during a relief appearance for the Red Sox back on April 22. He’s posted a strong 2.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 62/24 K/BB ratio across 48 innings at the Triple-A level this year. He’s an interesting young arm, but too risky to trust for fantasy purposes, despite a tasty road matchup against the Mets.

Brayan Bello will remain in Triple-A for now. Rivera made his MLB debut in April, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief in his one appearance. He’s been working in relief in Triple-A, so he’ll likely throw only a couple of innings in his start. Brett Harris figures to be sent down.

Rivera threw 3.1 scoreless innings in his one appearance last night, but the usage made him the obvious pitcher to send down as the Red Sox called up Peyton Tolle to start on Thursday. Rivera should make a return engagement to the Red Sox in the near future.

Rivera arrives in the big leagues shortly after being promoted to Triple-A Worcester earlier this week. The 22-year-old lefty provides Boston with some additional long relief depth while they deal with injuries and depth issues in their starting rotation mix. He’s unlikely to offer enough volume to make an impact for fantasy purposes before he’s shipped back to the minors.