Latest news with #startingpitching
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox Trade Idea Lands Former Yankees 2.05 ERA Starter JP Sears
Red Sox Trade Idea Lands Former Yankees 2.05 ERA Starter JP Sears originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Behind Garrett Crochet, the Boston Red Sox rotation has performed poorly. Besides Brayan Belllo, who owns a 3.94 ERA, all other Red Sox starters own ERAs well above 4.00. Advertisement A large part of their problem stems from their first-inning woes. In addressing this problem, sports writer Jonathan Vankin of Newsweek has proposed a unique solution that might quell this issue. 'The Red Sox have plenty of issues to analyze, but one in particular has been perhaps the most glaring: starting pitching. More specifically, starting pitching in the first inning. With a first-inning ERA of 7.12, second only to the 12-53 Colorado Rockies for worst in MLB (8.58), Boston pitchers have repeatedly put their team in an immediate hole and forced the Red Sox hitters to play from behind in game after game. 'What can the Red Sox do to solve this problem? One answer would be to acquire a pitcher who does not give up runs in the first inning. And there is one possible trade the Red Sox could make that would accomplish that goal, while costing Boston almost nothing … In 13 starts, [J.P.] Sears has yet to be touched for a first-inning run, earned or not. In fact, Sears has allowed just six hits, none for extra bases, and two walks while striking out 13 in the first innings of games.' Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears (38) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Sutter Health Park.D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images J.P. Sears owns a 5.21 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 67.1 innings on the season, raising his career ERA to 4.48. A change of scenery could benefit Sears, who pitched to a 2.05 ERA with the New York Yankees before being traded. The 29-year-old southpaw does much better on the road than at home. Last season, his road ERA stood at 3.67 while pitching to a 5.29 at home. Advertisement To Vankin's point, Sears wouldn't cost much in terms of a trade package or money; he is owed $770,000 this year before entering arbitration next season. Adding him to an already fractured Red Sox rotation doesn't seem like the cure-all that would flip Boston's sub-.500 record, but according to Vankin, it just might work. 'For the Red Sox offense, whose 330 runs are fourth-most in MLB, a pitcher who can give them a chance to score first by blanking the opposition out of the gate obviously gives them a much better chance to win. A 2020 Society for American Baseball Research study of 73 previous seasons found that teams that lead after the first inning win about 70 percent of all games.' Sears will be under club control through 2029. If he can begin to thrive away from Northern California, trading for Sears would be a steal. Related: Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Breaks Silence on Roman Anthony's Debut This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
National Post
13-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Elbow surgery for Jake Bloss another blow to Blue Jays' lean pitching depth
The Blue Jays' seemingly neverending quest for starting pitching depth has taken yet another major hit with word that the team's sixth-ranked prospect, Jake Bloss, will be lost for at least a year as he faces reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Article content Article content It's yet another blow for the team's young contingent of starting prospects as he joins Ricky Tiedemann as the latest to go under the knife for a variation of Tommy John surgery. Tiedemann, who was the Jays' fourth-ranked prospect at the time, had his surgery last July. Article content Bloss, the 23-year-old who was acquired in the trade deadline swap that sent Yusei Kikuchi to Houston last summer, last pitched for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on May 3 in Iowa, leaving with arm soreness after 3.1 innings of work. Article content Three days later, he was placed on the seven-day injured list and was evaluated by team doctors in Toronto. Further consultation led to the decision on surgery, which manager John Schneider revealed at the Rogers Centre prior to Tuesday's meeting with the Tampa Bay Rays to begin a nine-game home stand. Article content As if that wasn't bad enough for a team without a true fifth starter, Schneider also revealed veteran Max Scherzer has been shut down from throwing with tightness in his back. The team doesn't expect it to be a lengthy setback and Schneider noted the veteran's thumb continues to improve. Article content Still, the news was glum for the Jays' rotational depth struggles that have been an ongoing saga since Scherzer exited early in his first start with the Jays back in March. Article content Article content The loss of Bloss is undoubtedly a rough one for the Jays, though, given the expectations the team had. A third-round selection by the Astros in 2023, Bloss was a coveted piece in the Kikuchi deal and the Jays were further enthused by his progress. Article content Article content After a rough couple of starts with the Bisons to start his 2025 season, Bloss was turning things around to the point he was projected to be added to the Jays' roster at some point this season. In fact, general manager Ross Atkins recently mentioned Bloss as a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation that has been in flux for much of the season. Article content In other injury news, catcher Alejandro Kirk was not in the lineup on Tuesday after taking a bat to the head in Seattle on Sunday. Schneider said Kirk cleared all concussion tests and would be available if needed for the opener of the three-team home stand for the 20-20 Jays. Article content
