RICHARD FITTS NEWS

Cruises through six innings Fitts allowed an unearned run on three hits while striking out five over six innings in Monday's exhibition game in Mexico.

Impact Fitts got one final spring appearance ahead of what is expected to be a spot in Boston's rotation to start the regular season. Injuries to Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) created openings, and Fitts appears to have locked down the fourth spot in the rotation. Sean Newcomb and Cooper Criswell are the finalists for the No. 5 starter slot. Fitts compiled a 2.45 ERA with 13 hits and six walks allowed while striking out 14 over 14.2 innings. If all goes as planned in the ramp-ups for Bello and Giolito, Fitts' stay in the rotation will last two-to-three starts.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Likely to open as fourth starter Fitts is likely to open the season as the Red Sox' fourth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Impact With Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all expected to open the season on the injured list, the Red Sox are needing to dip into their rotation depth. Fitts has earned the opportunity by collecting a 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks over 14.2 spring innings. Sean Newcomb and Quinn Priester are fighting for the final spot in Boston's rotation.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Makes third spring start Fitts allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over four-plus innings in Thursday's spring start against Detroit.

Impact Fitts was on the bump for his third Grapefruit League start (fifth appearance) and experienced his first bout of adversity. His day ended after giving up a leadoff home run in the fifth inning on his 73rd pitch. Although manager Alex Cora has not yet announced which starter candidates will make up the back end of the rotation, Fitts looks primed to open the season as one of the five starters. He has a 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks over 14.2 spring innings. With Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all expected to open the regular season on the injured list, Fitts could get a few turns in April.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

MLB Notebook: Red Sox name Garrett Crochet Opening Day starter, Richard Fitts a lock for the rotation Boston's fast-growing, fully-credentialed, flying-everywhere collection of professional journalists covering Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, Celt...

MARCH 16 • BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.COM

Looks ready for rotation Fitts allowed one hit and struck out four over 4.1 scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against Miami.

Impact After a couple of Grapefruit League appearances as a reliever, Fitts' last two appearances were as a starter. It's become apparent that Fitts will be part of the rotation to start the regular season, as several projected rotation members are expected to open the season on the injured list. The right-handed Fitts has a 0.84 ERA over 10.2 spring innings.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Fenway Insider: Liam Hendriks struggles in Boston Red Sox win vs. Braves MassLive’s Sean McAdam recaps the Red Sox' win that included a rough outing from Liam Hendriks, but strong performances from Richard Fitts a...

MARCH 9 • MASSLIVE.COM

Could fill in for Bello Fitts could open the season in the Red Sox' rotation if Brayan Bello (shoulder) needs a stint on the injured list, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bello is not expected to miss much, if any, time, but Boston might elect to play things safely as he comes back from a shoulder issue. Fitts posted a 1.74 ERA in four starts with the Red Sox last season, although that came with just a 9:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings. However, the 25-year-old has shown more bat-missing ability in the minors and is also off to a strong start this season, fanning five over four scoreless frames. Quinn Priester is the other potential option to fill in for Bello.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

More velocity, more pitches, more opportunities: How Richard Fitts is turning himself into an asset for the Red Sox - The Boston Globe “I feel like I’ve exceeded my expectations of what I ever thought that I could be,” Fitts said, “but I don’t think I’m even done yet.”

MARCH 2 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Stuck with first big-league loss Fitts (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings as the Red Sox were downed 6-1 by the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

Impact The rookie right-hander came into the game having not allowed an earned run in his first three big-league starts, but after three more shutout frames, Fitts ran into trouble in the fourth when Vladimir Guerrero and Alejandro Kirk led off the inning with back-to-back doubles. Fitts wraps up his first taste of the majors with a 1.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings, and depending on the moves the Red Sox make this winter, the 24-year-old could head into next spring with a chance to win a regular spot in the rotation.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox turn to Richard Fitts in bid to brush aside Blue Jays Boston Red Sox right-hander Richard Fitts has yet to allow an earned run in his three-game major league career, something the host Toronto B...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Getting another start Wednesday Fitts is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Impact After making a spot start Sept. 13 while Tanner Houck dealt with shoulder fatigue, Fitts ended up sticking in the rotation for another turn this past Friday versus the Twins. Fitts was denied a win, but he tossed five scoreless innings in the contest and now appears to a solidified a spot as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter over Cooper Criswell, who was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. Fitts' upcoming start Wednesday will likely mark his final outing of the season, and he'll look to end the campaign on a high note as he aims to stake a claim to a rotation spot heading into 2025.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Turns in scoreless appearance Fitts allowed five hits and a walk over five shutout innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out three during the extra-innings loss to Minnesota.

Impact Fitts worked around a few tight spots to keep the Twins off the board and was in line for the win when he exited the game. The 24-year-old rookie has delivered 15.2 shutout innings in his first three career MLB starts. However, that comes with a lackluster 7:5 K:BB. On the bright side, he generated eight whiffs Friday after totaling just seven in his first two starts. Fitts is currently lined up for a start in Toronto next week.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Getting another turn Fitts will start Friday against the Twins, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Fitts most recently made a spot start Sept. 13 in place of Tanner Houck, who was dealing with shoulder fatigue. Even with Houck back in action, Fitts will get another turn through the rotation. He has yet to allow an earned run across 10.2 innings, though his 4:4 K:BB is less impressive.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Cora on Tanner Houck, Richard Fitts | 09/13/2024 Alex Cora talks about Tanner Houck being scratched from his scheduled start and Richard Fitts getting the start at Yankee Stadium

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • MLB.COM

Impressive in spot start Fitts allowed two hits and three walks over five shutout innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out two during the loss to the Yankees.

Impact Fitts was thrown into the starting role after Tanner Houck (shoulder) was scratched and he turned in a strong performance. Fitts walked three straight batters in the first inning but escaped the threat. Only one other Yankee would reach scoring position against him. Fitts has not allowed an earned run through 10.2 innings to begin his MLB career. Whether or not he gets another turn in the rotation may depend on Houck's status.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Richard Fitts' outing against the Yankees | 09/13/2024 The data behind Richard Fitts' outing

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • MLB.COM

Richard Fitts strikes out Aaron Judge and Juan Soto | 09/13/2024 Richard Fitts throws five scoreless innings in his start against the Yankees and strikes out Aaron Judge and Juan Soto

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • MLB.COM

Starting in place of Houck Fitts will start in Friday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Impact Tanner Houck (shoulder) was originally slated to start Friday after taking an extended break after his last outing against the Mets on Sept. 4, but it appears the right-hander is not ready to return to the mound. Fitts impressed in his major-league debut against the White Sox on Sunday, when he gave up two unearned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two across 5.2 innings while not factoring into the decision.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Impresses in MLB debut Fitts did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the White Sox, allowing two runs (zero earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out two in 5.2 innings.

Impact Fitts pitched well in his MLB debut, cruising through five scoreless innings before allowing two (unearned) runs in a rocky sixth inning that included a Triston Casas error. Fitts used just 66 pitches in 5.2 innings, pitching to contact against an inept White Sox offense. Fitts only struck out two batters Sunday, but he has shown adequate strikeout potential in the minor leagues -- in 24 starts for AAA-Worcester this season, Fitts compiled a 4.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 111:37 K:BB in 116.2 innings. If Fitts sticks around in the rotation, he will face a much stiffer test next weekend against the Yankees.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted for MLB debut The Red Sox selected Fitts' contract from Triple-A Worcester, and he's scheduled to start Sunday against the White Sox, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 24-year-old was acquired from the Yankees in the Alex Verdugo trade over the winter and is now making his MLB debut. Fitts has a 4.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 111:37 K:BB across 116.2 innings this season, and he couldn't ask for a softer introduction to the big leagues while going up against the 32-111 White Sox.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to make major-league debut Fitts is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Worcester and start for the Red Sox on Sunday against the White Sox, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Brayan Bello was slated to start Sunday, but it has been pushed to Monday against the Orioles to give Tanner Houck additional rest, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Manager Alex Cora noted after Saturday's 7-5 win over the White Sox that a minor-league call-up was a possibility for Sunday's contest, and it appears Fitts could be in line to make his major-league debut. Fitts has a 9-5 record across 23 starts in Triple-A this season with a 4.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and an 8.6 K/9 across 116.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stacking innings at Double-A Fitts has a 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 141 innings across 25 starts for Double-A Somerset.

Impact Fitts ranks third in all the minors in innings pitched this season while ranking 12th in strikeouts. The 23-year-old righty lacks the upside of org. mates Drew Thorpe and Chase Hampton, but he should be a rotation option for the Yankees as early as next summer. Fitts' top two pitches are a mid-90s high-spin four-seamer and a plus slider.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE