Alex Cora Comments On Johan Oviedo's Health After Velocity Drop In Debut

Alex Cora Comments On Johan Oviedo's Health After Velocity Drop In Debut originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox traded for Johan Oviedo in the offseason, but he did not pitch well in his Red Sox debut on Monday.

Oviedo gave up six hits, four earned runs and two home runs in 3 2/3 innings of work. Oviedo has primarily been a starter in the big leagues, and started all nine games he pitched in last season. However, right now, the Red Sox have him in a long relief role while Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello get built all the way up.

Suarez's velocity was noticeably down on Monday night and in his final spring training start. His four-seam fastball averaged 93 mph, 2.5 mph slower than his 95.5 mph four-seam fastball velocity last season. Oviedo has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and Cora commented on his health amid questions about the drop in velocity.

“We had a conversation with him today and there’s a few things that the pitching department has noticed,” Cora said before Tuesday’s game, per MassLive's Christopher Smith. “And just gotta keep working. That’s the most important thing. Obviously with his injuries in the past, something that we have to be very careful in this new role. But I think he’s gonna be OK.”

Oviedo missed the 2024 season because of Tommy John surgery and missed most of last season after a lat strain delayed his return. He was expected to be a starter, but the Red Sox needed length in the bullpen, and felt starting Oviedo in that role gave them the best chance to win. However, he is not locked into that role.

The Red Sox have noted that they will re-assess Oviedo and Connelly Early's roles after a couple of rounds through the rotation, when Suarez and Bello are good to handle a full workload. The Red Sox have to be careful with Oviedo's usage out of the bullpen, given his injury history, and Cora noted that they will try to be structured with his plan.