Eovaldi could open vs. Indians, return to rotation

Boston Red Sox right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is working his way back into the rotation.

"There's a good chance that Nate will open up tomorrow (against the Cleveland Indians)," manager Alex Cora said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio.

Cora added that with an off day on Thursday, the schedule is "finally" allowing the team to get creative with its roster, and specifically the pitching staff.

The 29-year-old is expected to be on a strict pitch count of around 55, Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. The expectation is Eovaldi will remain a starter and gradually build his pitch count.

Eovaldi began the 2019 campaign in Boston's starting rotation before being sidelined for three months with an elbow injury. Since his activation, he's pitched exclusively out of the bullpen.

In what has been a trying season, the 29-year-old hasn't excelled in either role. As a reliever, he's posted a 6.75 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 10 2/3 innings. And in four starts, he's recorded a 6.00 ERA while allowing six home runs in 21 innings.

Last offseason, Eovaldi signed a four-year, $68-million contract to stay with the Red Sox after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in July 2018.

His finest moment with the team to date arguably came in a playoff loss. In Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, Eovaldi allowed two runs (one earned) over the final six frames of an 18-inning marathon against the Los Angeles Dodgers.