Payton Tolle recall signals Red Sox shift to youth in pivotal Yankees finale

After that, Tolle did struggle quite a bit. He finished in the bullpen with a 0-1 record, a 6.06 ERA, 19 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.592 over 16 innings pitched. His problem was while he could throw the heat, that’s all he really had. Plus, he didn’t have much stamina, making his velocity drop significantly by the 5th inning.

That made him become a bullpen option for the Sox, and he did ok. But for Boston, Tolle was a starting pitcher, so they sent him back to AAA to work on his weaknesses.

Starting 2026 in the Minors

Payton Tolle

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So far, that decision was the right one. Down in AAA this season, Tolle has a 2-0 record, a 3.00 ERA, 19 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.067 over 15 innings pitched.

If Tolle can stay strong for five innings, the bullpen can do the work from the sixth to the ninth. Plus, experience in the MLB could help with his stamina problem, allowing him to start stretching into the sixth inning consistently.

With Tolle being called up, it seems he will take today’s start in the final game of the series against the New York Yankees, against their young phenom, Cam Schlittler. Hopefully, Tolle has improved, and can keep Boston from being swept by their eternal rivals.