The Boston Red Sox acquired Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the winter, thinking he would be their No. 5 starter.
However, Connelly Early won that job in spring training, and Oviedo was relegated to the bullpen. Near the end of spring training, his velocity was noticeably down, and he gave up six hits and four earned runs in his only outing for the Red Sox this year. He was placed on the injured list with an elbow sprain and pitched in a rehab game with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.
His velocity was back up, topping out at 98.5 mph and averaging 95.9 mph with his fastball. That is where the Red Sox expected him to be when they got him. The Red Sox could use a starter right now, but just like Garrett Crochet, there is not time to get Oviedo built up as a starter.
"You always have great dreams about playing for a team like (Boston) with a lot of history,” Oviedo said, per MassLive's Katie Morrison-O'Day. “You want to fill up your spot, and not being available to help the team from the beginning definitely has been a challenge for me. If I still have a shot to help the team in any way, in the last few weeks of the season or the playoffs, I’m just trying to be ready.”
“I’m more than open to fill any role, and not finish the season on the IL,” Oviedo added. “It’s definitely not the plan for any pitcher. But all I’m trying to do right now is be healthy and be available for the team if they need me.
Oviedo pitched 2 1/3 innings on Thursday, notching four strikeouts. He gave up one run, two hits and a walk, landing 20 of his 30 pitches for strikes. He threw his four-seamer, slider, sinker, curveball and changeup in the outing.
Oviedo is a talented pitcher, and it's very possible that he would have been a staple in the rotation this year had he not gotten hurt. The minor league season is about to end, so there won't be many more opportunities for him to get rehab outings. He is unsure if he will be on the taxi squad or get to pitch for the Red Sox this year. However, he wants to be ready if his number is called.
"I’ve been on a playoff roster before but never pitched,” Oviedo said. “So it’s definitely one of the dreams that I want to accomplish. If Boston will give me that chance, if the team needs me, hopefully I can be ready for it.”