Red Sox Starter Fitts Injured in Critical Game Against White Sox

CHICAGO — Red Sox pitcher Brandon Fitts experienced a concerning injury Saturday during his third start of the season against the Chicago White Sox, leading to his early exit in the bottom of the sixth inning.

After five strong innings where he recorded five strikeouts and allowed only two hits, Fitts threw a 2-2 sweeper to Miguel Vargas. Moments later, he visibly showed signs of discomfort, grabbing under his throwing arm. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and a team trainer promptly attended to him on the mound before deciding to withdraw him from the game.

Following Fitts’ exit, reliever Zack Kelly was brought in to finish the at-bat after a lengthy warmup session. The specific details regarding Fitts’ injury have yet to be announced, but the Red Sox are expected to release an update soon.

Prior to the injury, Fitts was effectively containing the White Sox offense, holding them to two hits while showcasing impressive control. He concluded the game after throwing a total of 76 pitches, with 54 of those being strikes. His performance helped the Red Sox to a 2-0 lead, courtesy of runs scored by Ceddanne Rafaela and Romy Gonzalez.

This season, Fitts has maintained a 3.18 ERA over three starts. He entered the season as the team’s No. 4 starter after it was confirmed that fellow pitchers Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford would miss time due to injuries.

If Fitts requires a lengthy recovery, Triple-A pitcher Hunter Dobbins, who made his debut Sunday, is likely being considered for a call-up, alongside Cooper Criswell, who is also on the roster in Worcester.

As the situation develops, fans await further updates on Fitts’ condition and the Red Sox’ plans moving forward.