Over the weekend, the Red Sox removed veteran Walker Buehler from the starting rotation. On Monday night, one of the potential choices to replace Buehler left the game due to what looked like an injury to his throwing arm.
Richard Fitts, who entered Monday night’s game in Baltimore in the second inning after Brennan Bernardino started the game as an opener, was through four innings of work when he took the mound for the sixth. After his first pitch of that sixth inning, though, Fitts flexed his right forearm and briefly stared at it, which immediately drew the attention of the Boston dugout.
Fitts expressed some clear frustration on the mound, and he pointed somewhere on his right throwing arm when being seen by the trainer. After a brief talk, he headed to the dugout alongside manager Alex Cora.
The Red Sox later announced that it was right biceps tightness that forced Fitts from the game.
Fitts had allowed three runs — all earned — on two hits and three walks while striking out six to that point in the game.
The 25-year-old started 10 games for Boston earlier this season, missing a month due to a pectoral injury. He was twice sent down to Triple-A Worcester, where he owns a 2-1 record and 4.00 ERA in six starts this season.
If Fitts is due to miss extended time, the Red Sox could turn to Kyle Harrison the next time this spot in the rotation comes up. Harrison was acquired in the Rafael Devers trade, and he’s gone 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA for Worcester this season.
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