Johan

Oviedo

The game was called in the bottom of the sixth. Oviedo, who was facing a Rays lineup without any projected starters, went without a walk today, even though he threw first-pitch strikes to just four of the 12 batters he faced. He also had a just a 21% CSW. It’s a really nice outing in the box score, but a major league lineup probably would have fared better against him.

Oveido allowed just one hard-hit ball, that being a 96.7-mph groundball single to George Springer. He also walked none after giving up three in his spring debut last week. Oviedo is the current favorite to open up as Boston’s fifth starter with Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval seemingly due to spend the first of April on the IL.

Command has been an issue for Oviedo during his career, so this is nothing new. It’s also nothing to worry much about after one spring training outing. His four-seam fastball averaged 94.3 mph, and his off-speed pitches flashed the plus movement we’ve seen in the past. However, if Oviedo can’t throw strikes with his fastball, then it’s unlikely to amount to much of anything.

Tolle served up a two-out homer to Royce Lewis in the opening frame before responding with a flawless second inning to close out a strong spring debut. The 23-year-old top pitching prospect averaged a crisp 96.5 mph on his fastball in this one. He’s technically in the mix for the final spot in Boston’s season-opening rotation, but that spot seems likely to go to a veteran arm like Johan Oviedo or Kutter Crawford. Tolle offers enough strikeout potential that he should remain on fantasy manager’s radar screens as an in-season pickup.

Crawford added that he’s fully healthy entering spring training after missing last season with knee and wrist issues that ultimately required a mid-summer procedure on his wrist. The 29-year-old figures to transition to a versatile swingman role, likely operating in long relief for the Red Sox next season, but he could be in the mix for one of their final rotation spots along with veterans Johan Oviedo and Patrick Sandoval in addition to top prospects Connelly Early and Payton Tolle.

The Red Sox traded for Oviedo this offseason and figure to slot him into the back end of their rotation this season. Ovedio missed 2024 after Tommy John surgery and returned last year to post a 3.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 42/23 K/BB ratio in 40 1/3 innings. He needs to be more consistent with his command, but Oviedo has the foundation to be a solid mid-rotation starting pitcher for Boston next season at a cheap cost.

Oviedo strengthens the back end of Boston’s rotation and still possesses the kind of mid-rotation upside that surfaces whenever he’s actually in the strike zone. The 27-year-old righty owns a respectable 4.24 ERA and 20.2 percent strikeout rate across 361 major-league innings since 2020. He represents a worthwhile gamble for the Red Sox since he’s under team control through 2027 and allows them to bolster their pitching staff without sacrificing any of their established big-league outfield depth. He could make a real leap if he throws strikes more consistently given the quality of his arsenal, but he’s unlikely to be rostered in most fantasy formats to open next season.

The Red Sox are getting lefty Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzman, with righty Jesus Travieso going to Pittsburgh — leaving Oviedo as the only established major leaguer involved in the trade. Garcia’s path to an everyday role was blocked in Boston’s overcrowded outfield entering next season, but that obstacle disappears in Pittsburgh, where he should have a clear opportunity to play right away. “The Password” appeared in five games for the Red Sox this past season after batting .267/.340/.470 with 21 homers and seven steals across 114 games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. The deal makes a ton of sense for both sides as the Red Sox were able to bolster their starting rotation depth without sacrificing any of their major-league outfield depth while the Pirates swap some pitching depth for a high-upside, power-hitting corner outfield prospect.

The 27-year-old Oviedo missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and then was delayed to start 2025 with a lat strain. However, he posted a 3.57 ERA in nine starts in 2025 while showing off an upper-90s fastball and improved shapes on his two-seam and four-seam fastball. Pair that with a slider that has been a plus pitch for him, and teams see the makings of a solid back-of-the-rotation starter. Rosenthal reports that the Pirates would much rather trade Mitch Keller and his $54.5 million salary over the next three years, but both right-handers are names to watch this offseason.

Oviedo, 27, gave up both runs in the first inning on a homer by Ronald Acuña Jr. After that, the right-hander was solid; albeit in a game where he received no run support. Oviedo finishes with an ERA of 3.57 in 2025 with a 42/23 K/BB over nine starts. If he’s still with Pittsburgh, he’ll compete for a spot at the back of their rotation in 2026.