As the Boston Red Sox look ahead to the 2025 season, the need for a revamped pitching staff has never been more urgent. Following a tumultuous 2024 campaign, the Sox are not just eyeing a frontline starter; they also face the impending departures of key bullpen arms in Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, Luis García, and Lucas Sims. The Red Sox will need to bolster their pitching depth significantly before the season begins.
Fortunately for Boston, there may be homegrown solutions on the horizon. Both Michael Fulmer and Chris Murphy, who spent the entirety of the 2024 season sidelined by injuries, are on track to make their returns around the start of spring training.
Michael Fulmer: A Familiar Face Returns
Fulmer, who underwent a second ulnar collateral ligament surgery in October 2023, is trending positively in his recovery. The right-hander signed a two-year minor league deal with the Red Sox in February 2023, and Rob Bradford of WEEI recently reported that Fulmer has begun throwing off a mound. If all goes well, he could be a valuable depth option in the bullpen when the season kicks off.
In 2023, Fulmer posted a 4.42 ERA over 57 innings with the Chicago Cubs, and throughout his seven-year big league career, he has maintained a 3.94 ERA. His experience could provide much-needed stability to a bullpen that experienced its fair share of struggles last season.
Seems like a good day for a Michael Fulmer update: He is throwing off a mound and trending well for spring training pic.twitter.com/5oTErTZS5i
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) October 16, 2024
Chris Murphy: Lefty With Potential
On the other hand, Murphy is also making strides in his recovery after undergoing Tommy John surgery. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, he has resumed throwing without any complications. Murphy made his big league debut with the Red Sox in 2023, compiling a 4.91 ERA over 47.2 innings. Originally starting with the Worcester Red Sox, he transitioned to a relief role upon his promotion to Boston, which may be where he ultimately finds success.
The Red Sox’s bullpen was notably deficient in left-handed options last season, making Murphy’s return particularly timely. His presence could add much-needed diversity to the late-inning mix.
Looking Ahead
While Fulmer and Murphy are not the singular solutions to the Red Sox’s pitching woes, they represent potential building blocks in a broader strategy to shore up the staff. The bullpen’s collapse during the 2024 season exposed the urgent need for reliable arms, and the Sox would be wise to pursue top-tier free agents or trades to complement their returning players.
As the offseason unfolds, Boston’s decision-makers must not only focus on external reinforcements but also ensure that Fulmer and Murphy can effectively contribute when the season arrives. With their recoveries underway, there is hope that these two could play significant roles in what the Red Sox hope will be a much-improved pitching staff in 2025.
