Johan Oviedo’s spring pitching debut on Wednesday against the Twins was marked by control struggles, as he allowed one hit, issued three walks, struck out one batter, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch over 1.2 innings. Despite these difficulties, he managed to escape a bases-loaded situation early in the game.
Mixed Results Highlight Persistent Control Issues
The right-hander experienced his usual challenges with command, highlighted by hitting the very first batter he faced. Although Oviedo threw first-pitch strikes to eight of nine batters, just 15 of his 33 pitches were strikes, reflecting ongoing inconsistency. Red Sox manager Alex Cora described the outing as
“Erratic. But good stuff. We have work to do. But it’s good for him to get his innings in and move on,”
speaking to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com.
Maintaining Position in Rotation Competition
Even with his wildness on display, Oviedo continues to be a contender for the team’s fifth pitching spot, holding an inside advantage according to sources cited by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. His ability to deliver moments of strong pitching keeps him in consideration as the Red Sox approach the regular season.
