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BOS • Pitcher • #54
3 days ago
Cora added that Brayan Bello will make his next start on Wednesday against the Blue Jays after being lit up for eight runs over 3 1/3 innings on Friday against the Orioles. Gray appears on track to return in early May against the Tigers. The interesting question is whether top pitching prospect Payton Tolle will be shipped back to the minors when that happens. It’s a variable to consider for fantasy managers rostering the fire-balling southpaw following an impressive debut against the Yankees earlier this week.
Source: Ian Browne
BOS • Pitcher • #54
7 days ago
Gray will be out at least a couple of weeks with the strain, but there’s a good chance the 36-year-old will need more than the minimum stint before being activated. Tyler Samaniego will take Gray’s spot on the active roster, but it’ll likely be Payton Tolle — one of the top pitching prospects in baseball — who takes his spot in the rotation.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
8 days ago
Cotillo adds that Tyler Samaniego will be called up on Tuesday to take Gray’s roster spot and fortify Boston’s relief corps. The 36-year-old veteran is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of hamstring issue that led to his early exit from Monday’s start against the Tigers after just 2 2/3 innings. It’s not official yet, but all signs point to top pitching prospect Payton Tolle coming up to fill his rotation spot against the Orioles this weekend. The hard-throwing 23-year-old southpaw needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats based on his strikeout upside.
Source: Chris Cotillo
BOS • Pitcher • #54
8 days ago
Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters afterwards that they don’t believe the issue to be serious, but they don’t want to take any chances. The 36-year-old veteran has a history of hamstring issues and will undergo precautionary imaging after being lifted from his Marathon Monday start against Detroit following 40 pitches over 2 2/3 innings. There should be some much-needed clarity on his status later this week. Top pitching prospect Payton Tolle would be the obvious choice to fill his rotation spot, which makes him worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats.
Source: Tim Healey
BOS • Pitcher • #54
8 days ago
Sonny Gray labored a bit through the third inning, and then, after walking Gleyber Torres with two outs, Gray seemed to try to stretch out his calf or hamstring. He threw one pitch with the trainers watching, yelled in anger, and then begrudingly gave the ball to manager Alex Cora. There is no word yet on the severity of the injury, and it could just be cramps, but Payton Tolle is on the same pitching schedule as Gray, so he would be the obvious replacement if Gray had to miss any time.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
8 days ago
Gray labored a bit through the third inning, and then, after walking Gleyber Torres with two outs, seemed to try to stretch out his hamstring. He threw one pitch with the trainers watching, yelled in anger, and then begrudgingly gave the ball to manager Alex Cora. There is no word yet on the severity of the injury, but the Red Sox are calling it hamstring tightness. That would likely mean that Gray would be placed on the injured list, even if it’s just for a minimum stay. Payton Tolle is on the same pitching schedule as Gray, so he would be the obvious replacement if Gray had to miss any time and should be added in all league types now just in case.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
14 days ago
Not good, but at least it’s not Garrett Crochet bad. Gray gave up nine hits, including a couple of solo homers, and struck out just one batter. He did generate 10 whiffs tonight, but they just weren’t strike threes. The last time he struck out one or no batters was on Apr. 1, 2023, but that was a good outing in which, while pitching for the Twins, he shut out the Royals for five innings. Gray will likely make his next start Monday against the Tigers.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
20 days ago
Gray struck out only two, but a Brewers lineup minus William Contreras, Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio just didn’t put up much of a fight. Greg Weissert, Tyler Samaniego (in his MLB debut) and Ryan Watson finished the shutout. Gray is 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in three starts against his old National League foes. He’ll take on his first AL team this year next week against the Twins.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
25 days ago
The runs came in the fifth, which got started because Ceddanne Rafaela lost a fly to center in the sun to give Miguel Andujar a triple. A single and a double followed. Gray allowed just one hit over the other five innings and walked none. His next turn will come against the Brewers. He went 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA in four starts against them for the Cardinals last year.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
about 1 month ago
Gray would have had an easier time in a two-run first if he hadn’t dropped the ball while trying to make a tag at home plate on a soft comebacker. Better yet, he could have just thrown to the catcher in the first place. But that run was still earned, because dropping a ball while trying to tag someone isn’t an error. The unearned run came in the second after a Trevor Story error. Gray’s velocity was good today, but he was a little wilder than usual and the 35-pitch first ruled out any chance of him going deep into the game. He’ll take on the Padres next.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
about 1 month ago
Gray came in with a 6.23 ERA, but he finished the spring strong, especially in the velocity department. He had been a little south of last year’s fastball average of 91.7 mph in his first three starts, but he was up to 92.3 mph with his four-seamer today, and his sinker made similar gains. Gray is in line to make his official Red Sox debut Saturday against the Reds.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
about 1 month ago
Gray’s control issues this spring have been rather odd, as he’s walked seven in 8 2/3 innings. Still, even with his 6.23 ERA, he’s having a far better spring than he did last year, when he gave up eight homers and 20 runs in 14 1/3 innings for the Cardinals. He started off 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA through the end of April anyway.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
about 2 months ago
Gray also struck out four and walked one. Gray threw 61 percent strikes overall but just 50 percent first pitch strikes. He was able to get whiffs with his curve and registered a 17 percent whiff rate and 27 percent CSW. Gray’s velocity looks good, and he threw eight different pitches on Tuesday, so everything seems on track for him to start the season.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
about 2 months ago
Gray struggled uncharacteristically with his command in his spring debut, handing out a pair of free passes and throwing just 13 of 31 pitches for strikes. It’s not exactly cause for concern at this early point in spring training. The 36-year-old veteran came over from the Cardinals in an offseason trade and will pitch at the front of Boston’s rotation behind ace Garrett Crochet.
BOS • Pitcher • #54
5 months ago
Boston gets the postseason-caliber starter it needed without having to make a long-term commitment. The Cardinals will chip in $20 million of the $40 million (now $41 million after a trade kicker) Gray was owed in the final year of his backloaded three-year, $75 million contract. $10 million of that $40 million comes in the form of a buyout of a $30 million mutual option for 2028. Gray had a 4.28 ERA last season, but it came with a 201/38 K/BB in 180 2/3 innings. After dealing with some mid-career durability issues, he’s made 92 starts the last three seasons, striking out 587 hitters over 531 innings. He’ll join Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello in Boston’s rotation, with Paxton Crawford currently favored for the fourth spot and then Patrick Sandoval, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison potentially battling it out for the fifth.
STL • Pitcher • #54
5 months ago
Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Cardinals will receive prospect left-hander Brandon Clarke and right-hander Richard Fitts. Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom made no secret that the club was shopping Gray, but the veteran right-hander had to waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate a trade. Evidently, he had no issues going to Boston. Gray turned 36 earlier this month and is coming off a 4.28 ERA with 201 strikeouts over 180 2/3 innings in 2025. Gray was previously owed $35 million in 2026, with a $5 million buyout of his $30 million club option for 2027. However, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the deal is being reworked, so Gray will get a $31 million salary in 2026, with mutual option buyout of $10 million. Per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Cardinals are picking up $20 million of the $41 million guarantee.
Source: Jon Heyman
STL • Pitcher • #54
6 months ago
“We’ve definitely been listening on him,” Bloom said. “It’s not a surprise. I mean, he’s still one of the better pitchers in the league. We value him very highly. Just with where we are and thinking long term, we’ve talked to him, and I think we all feel like there might be something that makes sense, but we’ll continue to explore that.” Gray has a full no-trade clause, but he’s thought to be open to waiving it if the right destination comes about. One problem is that his three-year, $75 million contract was heavily backloaded, and he’s owed $35 million next season and perhaps a $5 million buyout of his 2027 option (it’s $30 million, and he can opt out of it if a team exercises it). The Cardinals will probably need to eat some of that in order to get a substantial return.
STL • Pitcher • #54
6 months ago
“We’ve definitely been listening on him,” Bloom said. “It’s not a surprise. I mean, he’s still one of the better pitchers in the league. We value him very highly. Just with where we are and thinking long term, we’ve talked to him, and I think we all feel like there might be something that makes sense, but we’ll continue to explore that.” Gray has a full no-trade clause, but he’s thought to be open to waiving it if the right destination comes about. One problem is that his three-year, $75 million contract was heavily backloaded, and he’s owed $35 million next season and perhaps a $5 million buyout of his 2027 option (it’s $30 million, and he can opt out of it if a team exercises it). The Cardinals will probably need to eat some of that in order to get a substantial return.
STL • Pitcher • #54
7 months ago
Gray pitched his final game of the season on Wednesday night, with the Cardinals being eliminated from playoff contention. While the 35-year-old didn’t have his best year, he remains a steady middle-of-the-rotation arm and would certainly command interest on the trade market if the Cardinals do decide to move him. “Whether I do decide that I want to go somewhere – whether that actually happens – I don’t have complete control of that,” said Gray. “Obviously, I have control of where I can’t go or don’t go. I’m going to be 36. It’s going to be my 14th season. Last year of my contract for this. I don’t know what the future holds for me.” Given that the Cardinals seem to be rebuilding and Gray will be in the final year of his contract, it would seem likely that they would entertain moving him this winter
Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch
STL • Pitcher • #54
7 months ago
Gray allowed seven hits and two walks. The 35-year-old’s final start of the season was a solid one, but it was a mixed year — to put it mildly — for the veteran right-hander. He finishes the 2025 campaign with a 4.28 ERA, 201/38 K/BB and 180 2/3 innings pitched. He misses enough bats to be draftable, but there’s some bitter you have to take with the better, and it’s worth noting he turns 36 in November.
STL • Pitcher • #54
7 months ago
The 35-year-old right-hander scattered nine hits on the evening and didn’t walk a batter. The only damage done against him came on a leadoff blast by Sal Frelick to open the third inning, aside from that Gray was in complete command. He got six whiffs on 91 pitches on the night — four on his sweeper — while registering a CSW of 30 percent. He’ll carry a 4.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 194/36 K/BB ratio over 174 2/3 innings into his final start of the season on Wednesday against the Giants in San Francisco.
STL • Pitcher • #54
8 months ago
The 35-year-old hurler scattered four hits on the night while walking just one batter. He allowed a run on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Sal Frelick in the third inning, then left exited after allowing a leadoff walk in the sixth and that runner came around to score as well. Gray got 14 swings and misses on 95 pitches in the ballgame — seven of them on his sweeper — while posting a strong CSW of 33 percent. He exited with a 6-2 lead and in line for a victory but the Cardinals’ bullpen couldn’t hang on for him. He’ll bring a 4.43 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 187/36 K/BB ratio (168 2/3 innings) into a rematch against the Brewers at home on Friday night.
STL • Pitcher • #54
8 months ago
All seven runs in this game came in a one-inning span. The Cardinals got their four after Kai-Wei Teng walked three in a row to start the bottom of the fifth. The Giants got their three after Gray walked two in a row to open the sixth. Gray rebounded to retire Heliot Ramos, but he then gave up an RBI single to Rafael Devers that broke up the no-hitter. After another walk and a single, he was pulled with two outs and a 4-2 lead. One of his two remaining three runners scored afterwards. Gray moved to 13-8, but the late collapse caused his ERA to slightly increase to 4.45. He’ll likely face the Brewers on Saturday.
STL • Pitcher • #54
8 months ago
13 of the 22 balls in play against Gray were hit hard, with three leaving the yard. It’s the seventh time this season that Gray has allowed at least six runs. He’s allowed a total of 10 earned runs in his 14 best starts and 68 in the other 14. It all adds up to a 12-8 record and a 4.43 ERA. He’ll likely make his next start Sunday against the Giants.
STL • Pitcher • #54
8 months ago
Gray racked up six strikeouts on the night while issuing only one base on balls. The Rays scratched out a run against him in the first inning on the speed of Chandler Simpson, then Gray served up a two-run blast to Yandy Diaz in the third. That was the extent of the damage against him. The 35-year-old hurler got 13 swings and misses on 92 pitches on the night, posting a strong CSW of 33 percent. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling as he totes a 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 161/25 K/BB ratio (145 1/3 innings) into Wednesday’s divisional showdown against the Pirates.
STL • Pitcher • #54
8 months ago
Gray was not effective against one of his former clubs, and nowhere near as good as he was against the Cubs on Sunday. He was handed a 5-2 cushion, but he was unable to hang onto it while allowing a pair of homers and nine hits. He did strike out seven, so it was more a question of command than stuff for Gray on Saturday. He’ll try and find his Sunday form when he faces the Rays on Thursday.
STL • Pitcher • #54
9 months ago
The 35-year-old right-hander racked up seven strikeouts on the night while allowing only one base on balls. All of the damage done against him came on a two-run blast by Matt Shaw in the fifth inning after Dansby Swanson had reached on an error. Gray got seven swings and misses on 92 pitches on the night — all of them on his sweeper — while posting a CSW of 28 percent. Now 11-5 on the season, Gray will look to further improve upon his 4.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 148/22 K/BB ratio (135 1/3 innings) when he does battle against the Yankees on Saturday.
STL • Pitcher • #54
9 months ago
Gray’s night ended with the score tied 1-1, but he was put in line for the win after the Cardinals pulled ahead in the top of the eighth. Alas, that lead was blown before the team ended up prevailing 3-2 anyway. It was still a very positive outing for Gray, who struck out eight and walked one in his best outing since June. He concluded that month with a 3.36 ERA, but he went on to post a 7.81 ERA in July, even though he had a 32/3 K/BB in 27 2/3 innings. Gray will face the Cubs next.
STL • Pitcher • #54
9 months ago
On the plus side, Gray racked up five strikeouts on the night while issuing only one free pass. He served up a two-run homer to David Pauley in the second inning, then kept the Marlins off the board until Otto Lopez tacked on an RBI single in the fifth. The 35-year-old hurler got nine swings and misses on 91 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 25 percent. He’ll attempt to bounce back as he carries a 4.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 133/20 K/BB ratio (121 1/3 innings) into a tough matchup against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Monday.
STL • Pitcher • #54
9 months ago
Gray struck out five batters on the night and did not allow a free pass. Fortunately for him, the Cardinals’ offense came to play and provided ample run support. After being staked to an early 7-2 advantage, Gray allowed the Padres back into the game by serving up home runs to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado in the third inning. They scratched out another pair against him in the fifth inning. The 35-year-old hurler got 11 whiffs on 84 pitches on the night, registering an elite CSW of 37 percent. He’ll try to forget this one ever happened as he brings a 4.33 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 128/19 K/BB ratio (116 1/3 innings) into Tuesday’s showdown against the Marlins.