The Boston Red Sox are dealing with some pitching injuries right now and have decided to call up their No. 26 prospect, Eduardo Rivera, despite him never even pitching in Triple-A.
Rivera was moved from Double-A to Triple-A on Tuesday. However, before he ever takes the mound for the WooSox, he is headed to Fenway Park. The New York Yankees are in town, so his first taste of the big leagues could come in a historic rivalry. The Red Sox optioned Jack Anderson to Triple-A and moved Triston Casas to the 60-day injured list.
Rivera is 22 years old and made two starts in Double-A this season. He allowed one earned run and six hits in those two starts. He is a solid pitcher whose fastball can get up to 98 mph. He played 10 games in Double-A last season, making nine starts with a 4.25 ERA. While he has not pitched in the big leagues, he has pitched on a big stage in the World Baseball Classic. He made one start for Puerto Rico and appeared in relief once as well.
He allowed three earned runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. He struck out nine batters in those outings. He is a candidate to start on Thursday in the series finale against the Yankees, but Payton Tolle is also a candidate to start.
With Sonny Gray on the injured list, the Yankees could lean on Rivera to make a start at some point or give the team some length out of the bullpen. Regardless, the Red Sox are taking a risk by bringing him up without any Triple-A experience. Rivera was originally an 11th-round pick by the Athletics in 2021. He was released in 2024 and picked up by the Red Sox. The 6-foot-7, 237-pound southpaw has a fastball, changeup and slider and gets great extension off the mound.
Photo: Puerto Rico pitcher Eduardo Rivera (99) reacts after striking out Italy’s Jac Caglianone with the bases loaded during the second inning of the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
