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The Boston Red Sox were able to get the series win yesterday against the Detroit Tigers, but they did suffer a blow; All-Star starter Sonny Gray was put on the 15-day IL with hamstring tightness.
While the Sox called up reliever Tyler Samaniego to take Gray’s spot on the roster, they still need a starter, unless they plan on doing bullpen games until Gray’s return. Instead of that, they should call up their No. 1 prospect, and the MLB’s No. 15 overall, Payton Tolle once again.
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MLB Trade Rumors' Anthony Franco believes so too, and thinks Tolle is the logical replacement for Gray. Tolle had his debut along with a stint in 2025, where he had an electric first game, and then turned ice-cold for pretty much the rest of the season.
“Boston’s schedule will require them to turn to a fifth starter this weekend unless they want to run a bullpen game. Top prospect Payton Tolle seems the logical candidate after making a late-season debut in 2025,” Franco wrote.
So far down in AAA, Tolle has figured things out, posting a 2-0 record, a 3.00 ERA, 19 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.067 in 15 innings pitched. He also has been punching people out consistently, with a great K/9 of 11.4.
With Gray also scheduled for an MRI, there’s a chance he’ll miss more than two weeks. If that’s the case, the Red Sox really need to consider bringing up Tolle once again.
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