Red Sox bullpen taxed after 13-inning win, schedule concerns loom

Boston secured its eighth consecutive win, extending its season record to 26-9, but the 13-inning game on Thursday forced the entire bullpen to work extensively. Starter Ranger Suárez lasted only three innings, leaving ten innings for relievers, who collectively delivered 166 pitches.

All eight relievers were used, and each threw more than 15 pitches, with several appearing in back-to-back games. The team faces a schedule without an off-day until August 20, and manager Alex Cora has been trying to limit innings for prospects Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett, who are approaching career-high workloads.

A potential bullpen game on Sunday, which would temporarily shift to a six-man rotation, is complicated by the recent usage of Brayan Bello, who has already thrown 114 pitches over three outings in the past week. The club may consider calling up minor-league pitcher Blake Wehunt, who has made three starts in Worcester after time with the Portland Sea Dogs, to provide additional innings.

Following Thursday’s game, the Red Sox optioned right-hander Greg Weissert to Triple-A and promoted reliever Raymond Burgos. The moves reflect the need for fresh arms as the team navigates a demanding stretch of games without rest days.

"The priority is to keep our pitchers healthy and effective," a team spokesperson said, emphasizing the importance of managing workload during the upcoming schedule.