The Boston Red Sox bullpen got a reprieve on Sunday, with rookie starting pitcher Jake Bennett throwing 7.0 innings on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants. For Bennett, it was his first time throwing 7.0 innings or more since July 8th, with his most recent start only being 4.0 innings.
Bennett has now made 15 starts for the Red Sox, throwing 87.2 innings in MLB. He’s also thrown 39.1 innings in the minors this year, for a total of 127.0 innings. His previous high had been 75.1 innings pitched in 2025 after missing 2024 with Tommy John Surgery. This has led to plenty of concern that fatigue is setting in for Bennett.
The Red Sox, of course, have gotten relatively thin at starting pitcher. Garrett Crochet remains on the IL, Connelly Early was sent out in a trade, Brayan Bello is working out of the bullpen, and Ranger Suarez hasn’t been able to give much length since coming off the IL. Simply put, they need Bennett, and he’s given up at least three runs in every game since July 22nd.
Boston Red Sox SP Jake Bennett Addressed Fatigue Concerns
GettyBoston Red Sox SP Jake Bennett
The Boston Red Sox certainly seem concerned about the workload for Jake Bennett. His last outing, which lasted just 4.0 innings, was on August 14th. The team used off days and bullpen games to give him extra time off, with nine days between games.
“I think just kind of a little bit of workload management,” Bennett said after the game. “So, I mixed in the bullpen, trying to get a game feel, but it was great to get back out.”
So, after the Red Sox took down the Giants on Sunday, riding Bennett’s left arm for 7.0 innings, he addressed those concerns about his innings pitched and fatigue. However, he’s not overly concerned for the time being.
“I feel good,” Bennett said. “[My] body and arm feel really good. Just trying to keep building off this outing and finish strong.”
Interim Red Sox manager Chad Tracy took note of how strong Bennett’s outing was. In particular, the ability to settle in after giving up three runs in the first two innings, and then providing length.
“Huge,” Tracy said. “That’s important to see him settle in and not just go five but end up going seven (innings). So, a gutsy outing. I thought it was really, really good.”
The Red Sox Have a Plan for Jake Bennett
Boston Red Sox SP Jake Bennett
Following the sweep of the Giants, interleague play continues for the Red Sox. They’re headed south for a road series with a Miami Marlins team trying to hang on and get back into Wild Card contention. After that, the road trip will continue in the Bronx with a four-game series against the New York Yankees.
There will be an off-day on Thursday to travel. Then, the Saturday of that Yankees series is set to have a doubleheader. As it stands now, Bennett should be scheduled to pitch one of those two games, with the extra day of rest due to the travel day.
Bennett previously earned a win against the Yankees while pitching at Fenway Park. Back on June 27th, he took a no-hitter in the fifth inning before giving up a solo home run. He’d go on to pitch 6.1 innings in the win.
Now, the Red Sox are 3.0 games behind the Yankees for the top Wild Card slot in the AL this season. There’s still a series in between now and then, but that should make this one of the most important series all season long.
Red Sox SP Jake Bennett Addresses Growing Concern In His Game for 2026