William Bennett: Everything you need to know

Bennett was optioned to Triple-A Worcester after Thursday's 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. Bennett made his second career major-league start at home versus the Rays, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one batter over 5.1 innings. The southpaw has combined to pitch 10.1 innings while surrendering four runs in two outings with Boston, and he'll likely get another shot with the major-league roster down the road this season.

Bennett is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rays at Fenway Park, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. The Red Sox welcomed Sonny Gray (hamstring) from the injured list Wednesday, but Bennett will wind up sticking around in the big-league rotation for another turn while the status of Ranger Suarez (hamstring) remains in the flux. Boston is still leaving the door open for Suarez to start either of the final two games of the series versus the Rays, and if that comes to pass, Bennett could be headed back to Triple-A Worcester following Thursday's outing. The 25-year-old lefty turned in a strong performance in his MLB debut last Friday, striking out three while limiting the Astros to one run on five hits and two walks over five innings en route to picking up a win.

Bennett (1-0) earned the win against the Astros on Friday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings. Making his first major-league start, Bennett allowed a solo homer in the third inning but mostly impressed with four scoreless frames. He threw 58 strikes and generated 10 whiffs on 85 pitches, including six on his changeup. The 25-year-old posted a 0.86 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB across 21 innings at Triple-A Worcester and lines up for a road matchup against the Tigers next week.