Sean McAdam: ‘There’s a lot going on right now’ - Red Sox’ starting pitching depth already being tested

“We can talk all we want about pitching. Every team goes through it,” said Alex Cora. “Some of them are lucky enough that they stay healthy throughout. We’ve been getting tested. We’ve got to make decisions and the moving parts. All the guys (in Worcester) have to step up and become part of the equation, instead of just developing in the minor leagues. Now, somebody who (maybe) wasn’t on the map is on map, now. We’ll see how it plays out.”

To be sure, there are potential replacements at Triple A, including Payton Tolle, who has big league experience, and Jake Bennett, who doesn’t. Worcester manager Chad Tracy strongly hinted Monday that Tolle would be joining the parent club at some point soon.

At the start of spring training, the projected rotation included Garrett Crochet, Gray, Ranger Suarez, Brayan Bello and Oviedo. Before five full turns of the rotation, that group has already been upended.

Only weeks ago, the Red Sox could afford to stash Tolle and Connelly Early at Worcester at the start of the season, a chance for further development. But that was before Oviedo underwhelmed, creating an opening for Early in the rotation, with Oviedo consigned to the bullpen — but only for a short period, when a significant dip in fastball velocity and some elbow stiffness sounded the alarm.

The existing depth also meant that Crawford and Sandoval were going to be allowed to begin the year on rehab assignments, progressing at their own pace. But new physical ailments surfaced, stopping their comebacks almost before they began.

“It’s a lot,” acknowledged Cora. “But there’s some talented guys that can come here and help us win ballgames. It’s a long stretch here, with 13 (games) in a row and we have to be smart — not only with players that are in play now, but also the guys here. We take a lot of pride in taking care of them early on and making sure that we keep them healthy so they can actually help (us later), and keep fresh and keep growing.

“There’s a lot going on right now. I know that. But I feel like we’re in an OK place.”

Frankly, that remains to be seen. Apart from the injuries which are testing the Sox, there’s the matter of performance. Crochet has been oddly hittable in three of his last four outings while Bello remains as inconsistent as ever.

Now, by the end of the week, the rotation will be 40 percent rookies and 40 percent underachieving veterans.

A certain amount of upheaval was to be expected, as injuries are commonplace when it comes to pitching.

But this many, this early, wasn’t part of the plan.

More Red Sox coverage

• Red Sox calling up pitcher straight from Double-A in latest round of roster moves
• Red Sox veteran: ‘We have to own it. We have to find a way to get better’
• Red Sox’ Kutter Crawford details latest injury setback: ‘Currently, I’m shut down’
• Red Sox’ Connelly Early loses strike zone in final inning of work, pays the price
• Red Sox reactions: Boston manages just 4 hits in shutout loss to Yankees, drops to 9-14

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