Debate: Are the Red Sox rushing Price back too soon?
David Price is set to make his 2017 season debut.
The Boston Red Sox southpaw was officially penciled in to start Monday against the Chicago White Sox, marking Price's first start of the season after experiencing soreness in his left forearm and elbow in spring training.
Not all signs looked positive in his rehab starts, however.
Price was shaky at best in two rehab appearances with Boston's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket. During his first start on Friday, he allowed three runs on five hits in only two innings. Five days later, Price surrendered six runs - three earned - on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings and even refused to speak to media postgame.
With Price not looking exactly like his former Cy Young-winning self in Triple-A, theScore's Lucas Casaletto and Jonathan Soveta debate whether the Red Sox should have given Price at least one more outing to get his form back.
It's too early, he needs more time
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
The decision made by the Red Sox to bring Price back seems premature. For starters, what harm is there in allowing your $217-million arm to get up to speed in Triple-A? He's facing decent competition, had no spring training, and is rehabbing from an elbow injury in particular. It's not so much his poor performance in Triple-A that has me believing it's too soon, it's more so the small sample size. Regardless if Price is healthy - which he seems to be - the club has won three straight games and have combined to an admirable 24-21 record without him. Elbow injuries can be precarious if not handled properly. With Price being one of baseball's most durable arms over the last several years, here's hoping the Red Sox didn't make a knee-jerk decision. - Casaletto
It's David Price, he's ready for the big leagues
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
How much stock can we really put into a couple rehab starts? Yes, Price didn't post complete-game shutouts with the PawSox, but he didn't really have to. Let's keep in mind here that the Red Sox, who are supposed to be legitimate World Series contenders this season, are currently sitting third in an AL East that looked theirs for the taking in the spring. Price had yet to pitch in a real game all year, and all Boston needed to know was that he can sill locate his pitches and throw in the upper 90s without suffering the same discomfort he did in spring training. Provided he's now 100 percent healthy (he definitely looks like it) the Red Sox won't - and shouldn't - hesitate to get him facing big-league at-bats as soon as possible. - Soveta