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Red Sox veteran starter to make spring debut Saturday; Patrick Sandoval up to 94-95 mph
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- Red Sox veteran starter to make spring debut Saturday; Patrick Sandoval up to 94-95 mph
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox starter Sonny Gray will make his first Grapefruit League start Saturday against the Twins at JetBlue Park.
Boston acquired the 36-year-old righty from the Cardinals on Nov. 25. Boston sent pitcher Richard Fitts and pitching prospect Brandon Clarke to St. Louis .
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Gray went 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 1.23 WHIP and 3.88 expected ERA in 32 starts in 2025.
Boston was drawn to Gray's ability to miss bats. He recorded 200 strikeouts in 180 ⅔ innings last year for his second straight season with at least 200 strikeouts. He was in the 81st percentile in chase percentage (31.2%) and 79th percentile in strikeout percentage (26.7%) in 2025. He also ranked in the 93rd percentile in walk percentage (5.0%).
Crawford and Sandoval updates
Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval have yet to make their Grapefruit League debuts. Both are in the mix for the No. 5 starter spot.
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"They're behind but trending in the right direction," manager Alex Cora said.
Sandoval missed last season after he underwent an internal brace procedure . His next step is to throw another live batting practice session.
"He threw the ball well the other day," Cora said. "Velo was up, 94, 95 (mph), which is eye opening."
Crawford missed 2025 because of patellar tendinopathy in his right knee and wrist surgery.
"The next one for Kutter is an up-and-down," Cora said.
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