The Boston Red Sox placed right-hander Johan Oviedo on the injured list on Friday, citing a right elbow strain, the team announced as part of a series of roster moves ahead of the Fenway Park home opener. Oviedo’s status change follows a troubling relief appearance in Houston and will be followed by further medical evaluation: he is scheduled to see Dr. Keith Meister to compare MRIs and try to determine the cause of his recent problems, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Oviedo’s latest outing came in relief of starter Ranger Suarez and was intended to steady the pitching after Suarez’s difficult Red Sox debut. Instead, Oviedo allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Astros, yielding two home runs and six hits while also issuing a walk and hitting a batter. Statcast and Fangraphs data cited by Cotillo show Oviedo’s average fastball velocity in Houston dropped to about 93 mph — well under his 2025 and career average of roughly 95.5 mph — a decline that helped prompt the imaging comparison.
The timing of the IL move complicates Boston’s immediate bullpen plans for the team’s long-awaited home opener Friday afternoon against the San Diego Padres. The Sox are expected to recall right-handed pitchers Zack Kelly and Tyler Uberstine to provide depth, per Cotillo’s reporting and the club’s roster announcement. No official timetable for Oviedo’s return was provided in the team’s statement.
Boston also announced reliever Garrett Whitlock has been placed on paternity leave after manager Alex Cora told reporters that Whitlock and his wife welcomed a child Thursday night. Whitlock’s temporary absence and Oviedo’s IL placement together necessitated the expected pair of right-handed call-ups as the club looks to shore up its staff for the weekend.
The Red Sox unveiled their batting order for Friday’s 2:10 p.m. ET home opener: Roman Anthony as designated hitter, Trevor Story at shortstop, Jarren Duran in left, Willson Contreras at first base, Wilyer Abreu in right, Caleb Durbin at third, Marcelo Mayer at second, Carlos Narvaez catching, and Ceddanne Rafaela in center. The lineup and the roster shuffling underscore the club’s attempt to balance immediate game needs with longer-term player health evaluations.
Oviedo’s visit to Dr. Meister — a move teams frequently make when elbow or shoulder issues surface — will be watched closely by Boston’s staff. The MRI comparison could clarify whether the velocity dip and rough outing are attributable to a treatable strain or a more significant structural problem. For now, the team has opted for the cautious approach of placing him on the injured list while pursuing a more definitive diagnosis.