Jake Bennett to Make MLB Debut for Red Sox Friday Night

jake bennett is headed to the majors for the first time. The Red Sox recalled the left-hander from Triple-A Worcester on Friday and will start him against the visiting Astros on Friday night in his MLB debut.

Bennett Gets the Ball

Boston moved quickly to create the opening, optioning utilityman Nate Eaton after yesterday’s game. That put Bennett in line for a start at a time when the rotation is already thin, with Garrett Crochet on the 15-day injured list because of shoulder inflammation.

He also arrives with real numbers behind him. Bennett posted a 0.86 ERA across 21 innings and five starts in Worcester to begin his tenure in the organization, striking out 20.3% of his opponents while walking 3.8% and producing a 58.9% ground-ball rate.

Worcester Numbers

The Red Sox added Bennett to a 40-man roster for the first time this past November, and he entered the season ranked by Baseball America and MLB.com as the club’s No. 6 prospect. Acquired from the Nationals in an offseason trade that sent right-hander Luis Perales the other way, he brings a fastball that sits 93 mph and a mix of six pitches.

Boston’s rotation has been stretched by more than one injury. Sonny Gray has a hamstring strain, Johan Oviedo has a flexor strain, and Patrick Sandoval, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck are still recovering from injuries that predate the 2026 season, leaving the club to lean on Ranger Suarez, Brayan Bello, Connelly Early and Payton Tolle.

Bello has not solved the problem by himself, allowing 26 runs in 25 2/3 innings across six starts. With Tyler Uberstine on the minor league injured list because of shoulder discomfort, Bennett’s debut is not a ceremonial call-up; he is there because Boston needs a starter now.