Patrick Sandoval shuts out Blue Jays for 4 2/3

It appears the Red Sox are going to give Ranger Suarez a couple extra days to rest while battling an illness before activating him from the injured list. Sandoval has allowed six runs over 9 1/3 innings of work across a pair of starts since making his season debut earlier this month.

The three-run fourth could have been worse, but Yandy Díaz was thrown out at the plate to end the frame. Sandoval struck out five and walked only one, so that’s good. He gave up the nine hits but only five hard-hit balls. The Red Sox figure to stick with him for now and start him against the Blue Jays on Friday.

Sandoval got through four scoreless before giving up a single to Luisangel Acuña to start the fifth. Drew Romo tried to bunt him over afterwards, only to pop it up foul for an out. Acuña went on to advance to second on a wild pitch and steal third while Sandoval was walking Chase Meridoth. Sandoval was pulled at that point, and Acuña went on to score on a swinging bunt. Sandoval struck out five and walked just the one. He averaged a rather stunning 94.3 mph with his fastball. That’s an improvement on his career-best 93.7 mph from 2024, before he hurt his elbow, and a big step forward from the 92.8 mph he averaged in six outings in Triple-A. If he keeps that up, he could be at least a streaming option in mixed leagues. There’s a good chance we’ll see him again in the series against the Rays after the break.

Sandoval is expected to make his Boston debut at some point later this week, most likely against the White Sox on Thursday, in place of an injured Connelly Early (elbow). The 29-year-old southpaw will be making his first start in the majors since June 21, 2024. He spent the last two years working his way back from Tommy John surgery. He’s always possessed enough strikeout potential to be interesting for fantasy purposes and he struck out seven over five shutout innings for Double-A Portland in his final minor league rehab outing over the weekend. A wait-and-see approach seems preferable for fantasy managers in shallow mixed leagues, but he’s a name to watch coming out of the All-Star break in deeper formats.

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 was sitting in the low-to-mid 90’s with his fastball and threw 53 pitches in his latest rehab outing. He finished with one strikeout and also issued one walk. He’ll make his next rehab tune-up outing this weekend. He figures to be an option for Boston at some point around next month’s All-Star break.

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.