FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox starter Johan Oviedo ’s main focus in his Grapefruit League debut was getting ahead in counts.
He faced nine batters and threw eight first-pitch strikes. But he ended up walking three hitters and landing only 15 of his 33 pitches (45%) for strikes.
“I was getting ahead strike one, but after the strike one I was kind of losing it a little bit,” Oviedo said.
Oviedo allowed one hit and struck out one in his 1 ⅔ innings.
“Not the worst but definitely not the best,” he said.
Manager Alex Cora said, “Erratic. But good stuff. We have work to do. But it’s good for him to get his innings in and move on.”
Oviedo has struggled to throw strikes throughout his career. He has a career 11% walk percentage.
Additionally, the Red Sox want Oviedo’s delivery to be more explosive. They want him to create more force down the mound.
“I think just maximize who you are and his extension is elite,” Cora said last week.
Oviedo had extension in the 98th percentile (7.4) last season.
“That’s one of the things we’ve focused more (on) besides getting ahead — just using my strong body towards home plate and use all that force that I can create towards home plate,” Oviedo said. “So that’s gonna be the rest of the spring, that’s gonna be one of the things we’re gonna keep pushing. We’re gonna keep working on it.”
The Red Sox acquired Oviedo from the Pirates on Dec. 4. He’s competing for the fifth rotation spot against Connelly Early , Kutter Crawford , Patrick Sandoval and Payton Tolle .
He posted a 3.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 42 strikeouts and 23 walks in 40 ⅓ innings for the Pirates in 2025.
He missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in December 2023. A right lat strain also delayed his return in 2025.
Oviedo’s 15 fastballs vs. the Twins averaged 94.3 mph. That’s down from his 95.5 mph average last season.
“We’ve still about a month left. So my main focus is not velo. It’s commanding all the pitches and make sure they’re sharp,” he said. “Quality pitches is what I’m looking for right now. Make sure the slider’s there, the cutter’s there, the curveball’s there, the changeup’s there. Velocity, it’s going be there no matter what.”
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