The Boston Red Sox are preparing to reinforce their bullpen this season with reliever Jordan Hicks, who is currently completing injury rehabilitation. Hicks, sidelined since early June due to toe inflammation, made a recent rehab appearance in Triple-A and is expected to be activated when the team returns to Fenway Park. Alongside Hicks, Kyle Harrison remains a promising addition after being optioned to Triple-A following the Rafael Devers trade. Both players are seen as key factors for the Red Sox bullpen’s upcoming strength.
Rehabbing a Power Arm: Jordan Hicks’ Role Adjustments
Originally signed by the San Francisco Giants to be a starting pitcher, Hicks’s ambitions in the major leagues included a starting role. However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that the team plans to deploy Hicks as a reliever. This switch aims to leverage his elite velocity as a late-inning arm to bolster Boston’s pitching staff.
It’s another good arm that we’re going to have in the bullpen,
Alex Cora commented.
The bullpen the last month and a half has been amazing, and I think he’s going to fit right in and he’s going to help us win ball games.
—Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager
Forming the Hardest-Throwing Pair in Major League History
Upon Hicks’s return, the Red Sox bullpen will feature arguably the most formidable velocity combination in MLB history. Hicks and closer Aroldis Chapman hold the top two spots for pitch speed over 103 miles per hour in this era of pitch tracking. Chapman has reached triple digits 109 times this year, while Hicks recorded 28 such pitches before his injury. This duo’s presence is expected to intimidate opposing hitters and provide Boston with a critical late-game advantage.
Kyle Harrison’s Progress and Potential Major League Readiness
Kyle Harrison, who has yet to pitch for Boston’s major league team, has been refining his repertoire at the Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate in Worcester, Massachusetts. Harrison has augmented his fastball with a sinker and a cutter in addition to his four-seam fastball, showing adaptability during bullpen sessions and live batting practice. Boston’s head of baseball operations, Craig Breslow, recently observed Harrison’s workout firsthand, indicating the organization’s strong interest in his development.
We expect big things out of him, just like (the Giants) did,
Cora stated.
It’s a special fastball. We saw it last year at one point. We’re excited about that.
—Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager
Plans are in place for Harrison to join the major league roster within the coming month, increasing the depth and velocity options available in the Red Sox’s bullpen.
Context on Rafael Devers’ Transition to the Giants
Meanwhile, Rafael Devers, who was traded to the San Francisco Giants, is undergoing a cautious rehabilitation following minor groin tightness. Devers was playing through this issue prior to the trade, leading Giants manager Bob Melvin to limit his defensive workload in the early stages with the new team. Melvin emphasized the importance of keeping Devers healthy to maximize his offensive contributions to the Giants.
Stretching over at first is maybe not the most comfortable thing for him,
Melvin explained.
Obviously we want to keep him healthy, too, while learning the position.
—Bob Melvin, Giants Manager
Despite this, Devers shows strong vitality at the plate and on the basepaths, as evidenced by his above-average sprint speed and ability to score from first base in recent games.
Update on Justin Verlander and Giants Rotation
Justin Verlander recently took paternity leave to welcome his second child with wife Kate Upton, a son named Bellamy Brooks Verlander. Manager Bob Melvin confirmed Verlander will return to the mound promptly after, pitching next against the Miami Marlins. Verlander has faced some inconsistency since rejoining the Giants and remains in pursuit of his first win of the season for San Francisco. The team is navigating some rotation challenges following recent losses of pitching depth.
Fan Voting and All-Star Prospects for Giants Players
The Giants currently have one player, Rafael Devers, who is actively contending in All-Star voting, yet he trails behind Shohei Ohtani by over one million votes at the designated hitter position. Matt Chapman and Wilmer Flores hold lower top-10 positions at their respective spots, while Heliot Ramos has seen a decline in outfielder rankings compared to his All-Star status last season. The announcement of All-Star finalists and starters is scheduled for early July, marking an important phase in season recognition.
Significance of Hicks and Harrison for the Red Sox’s Future
The imminent return of Jordan Hicks and the development of Kyle Harrison represent a pivotal opportunity for the Red Sox to strengthen their bullpen with unprecedented velocity and depth. Hicks’s combination with Aroldis Chapman sets the team apart as potentially the hardest-throwing relief tandem in the history of the sport, while Harrison’s emerging skillset promises long-term potential. These moves could provide Boston’s pitching staff with the consistency and firepower necessary to compete in tight matchups during the stretch of the season.
As Hicks recovers and Harrison prepares for his major league debut, the Red Sox will be watching closely to see if these additions translate into improved performance and more wins overall.