Red Sox promote prospect from Double A to pitch, and potentially start, vs. Yankees

AL EastBlue JaysOriolesRaysRed SoxYankeesAL CentralGuardiansRoyalsTigersTwinsWhite SoxAL WestAngelsAstrosAthleticsMarinersRangersNL EastBravesMarlinsMetsNationalsPhilliesNL CentralBrewersCardinalsCubsPiratesRedsNL WestDiamondbacksDodgersGiantsPadresRockiesScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsThe Windup NewsletterFantasyMLB ProspectsMLB OddsMLB PicksPower RankingsFans Speak UpTop ProspectsAnalysisRed Sox promote prospect from Double A to pitch, and potentially start, vs. YankeesEduardo Rivera has had a whirlwind 2026, including pitching for Puerto Rico in the WBC. Troy Taormina / Imagn Images Share article1BOSTON — Eduardo Rivera didn’t need to be at Fenway Park until noon for a 6:45 p.m. game. He showed up at 9:30 a.m anyway. “They said I opened the ballpark,” the 22-year-old said via a team interpreter as he stood in his second new clubhouse in the span of three days. On Sunday, the 6-foot-7, 275-pound prospect had just been promoted from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester after two dominant starts in which he allowed just one run on six hits with 16 strikeouts in 10 innings. At 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, he found out he was headed to the majors — for a series against the New York Yankees, no less. “It was very unexpected,” he said. “I wasn’t even able to throw an inning in Triple A, so I’m excited.” In dire need of pitching help with starter Sonny Gray landing on the injury list this week, the Red Sox decided to promote the big lefty, who features a 98 mph fastball. Though it’s possible he’ll come out of the bullpen, manager Alex Cora left the door open for Rivera to start on Thursday. While Brayan Bello had been slated to start Thursday’s game, both he and Garrett Crochet have been pushed back a day, opening a rotation spot. Rivera and lefty prospect Payton Tolle, who’s currently in Triple A, are in the mix to start. “The schedule worked to our advantage in this situation,” Cora said. “Sonny’s banged up, so it makes sense to (where) we’ll have somebody else start tomorrow and push everybody back.” That Rivera is even in the mix says as much about his rise through the system as it does about where the Red Sox pitching depth stands. With Gray (hamstring), Johan Oviedo (flexor strain) and prospect Tyler Uberstine (shoulder) on the injured list, and rehabbing starters Kutter Crawford (flexor inflammation) and Patrick Sandoval (biceps) slowed in their progressions, the Red Sox turned to the hard-throwing Rivera as their next move. To make room, Boston optioned Jack Anderson to Triple-A Worcester and moved Triston Casas to the 60-day IL. Rivera will be the fifth Red Sox pitcher to make his major league debut this season, joining Anderson, Tyler Samaniego, Uberstine and Ryan Watson. Asked of the decision to promote Rivera over Tolle or Triple A prospect Jake Bennett, who has an 0.55 ERA, Cora said: “He’s throwing the ball well and he can give us innings, I think that’s the reason it’s him.” Rivera, who was released by the Athletics two years ago, caught the eye of the Red Sox while pitching in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He signed as a minor league free-agent with the Red Sox in 2024 and progressed through Boston’s system. Last season, between High A and Double A, Rivera appeared in 20 games, making 15 starts and posting a 2.48 ERA with 108 strikeouts in 87 innings. In winter ball this offseason, he continued to dominate, striking out 19 batters in 15 innings over four starts and then pitched well in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico. “Hard thrower, he’s been under the radar the last few years,” Cora said. “He’s a kid from back home that loves the game. He had a great WBC, threw the ball well and gained momentum. So where we’re at right now pitching-wise, he can give us innings in the bullpen or we can use him as a situational lefty, so we’ll see how it plays out.” Rivera said his first calls about his promotions were to his father, Eduardo, who brought him to games as child. His father, wife and brother will be at Fenway on Wednesday. Joining them will be a group of friends Rivera made while pitching in winter ball. The emotions figure to be high for Rivera, who grew up watching Red Sox-Yankees games, regardless the capacity he’s used. “It was a very emotional journey,” Rivera said. “At the end of the day, it was a very unexpected journey for me to be here and that’s why I’m so happy and appreciative of this moment.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms