🚨 BOSTON RED SOX TAKE DOWN MINNESOTA TWINS 5-3: ROTATION BATTLE HEATS UP AS SPRING TRAINING INTENSIFIES👇

As the 2026 Spring Training gets rolling, the Boston Red Sox are already showcasing the kind of resilience that will define their season. While it’s still early in the process, the Red Sox’ 5-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium provided plenty of intriguing storylines to follow—especially regarding their starting rotation.

Let’s break down the action that unfolded, starting with the offensive side of things. In the third inning, the Red Sox flexed their muscle with a four-run surge. Wilyer Abreu’s RBI single and Brendan Rodgers’ two-run knock were the highlights of the inning, which provided the majority of Boston’s runs. While it wasn’t an explosive outburst, it was a professional display of situational hitting—something the team will need as the season progresses. Jarren Duran continued to impress with two hits, and Andruw Monasterio reached base twice. For the Red Sox, it’s not about making waves early in Spring Training, but rather sticking to a disciplined approach, which they’ve done so far.

On the mound, Garrett Whitlock was the star of the day. His 13-pitch perfect inning was a smooth, no-drama affair that showcased everything the Red Sox love about him: efficiency and control. Justin Slaten followed suit with a scoreless frame, helped in part by Carlos Narvaez’s defense, as he gunned down Brooks Lee trying to steal. Defense like that, crisp and precise, could make a huge difference for the Red Sox this season, and it was good to see that they are already executing fundamentals like this, even in February.

However, the bigger conversation coming out of this game is the No. 5 starter competition—one that will have massive implications for the Red Sox as they continue to shape their pitching staff. Manager Alex Cora has remained patient with the process, but that doesn’t mean the competition isn’t heating up behind the scenes.

Johan Oviedo, one of the key contenders for that spot, made his Grapefruit League debut, and while the stat line (1.2 scoreless innings) may look promising, the performance was far from flawless. Oviedo struggled with his command, walking three and hitting a batter. He threw 33 pitches, but only 15 were strikes. Despite the lackluster outing, Cora emphasized that Oviedo’s stuff was still there, and this competition won’t be settled so early in February. As Cora said, “Patience” is the key. There’s no rush to judge a player after just one appearance, and Oviedo certainly has more opportunities to prove himself as Spring Training progresses.

Then there’s the matter of Patrick Sandoval and Kutter Crawford, two other pitchers fighting for the fifth spot. Both are recovering from injury-riddled 2025 seasons, with Sandoval expected to join games only next week, and Crawford yet to face live hitters. These setbacks put them slightly behind the others in the competition, which could give Oviedo, Payton Tolle, or even rookie left-hander Connelly Early an edge. Tolle has already shown flashes of potential this spring, and Early impressed by logging two scoreless frames earlier this week.

The Red Sox certainly have bodies and options, but the race for the final rotation spot is far from over. Cora and his coaching staff will continue to evaluate and refine their options, especially as players like Sandoval and Crawford work to get back on track.

Meanwhile, outfielder Jake Bennett was another player turning heads in camp. In his first appearance against the Twins, Bennett’s first fastball to Eric Wagaman clocked in at 97.6 mph—his hardest throw ever. He averaged 95.3 mph throughout the inning before his velocity dipped slightly. For a left-handed pitcher who entered the season hoping for a 94-95 mph range, this velocity jump is an exciting development. It could be one of the quieter but more significant storylines to monitor as the season progresses.

But it wasn’t all good news for the Red Sox on Wednesday. Brendan Rodgers, one of the team’s key offensive contributors this spring, exited the game after diving for a line drive and experiencing right shoulder pain. Given Rodgers’ history with labrum surgeries, the injury had the potential to be quite concerning. Fortunately, initial tests showed that his shoulder strength and stability were intact, so it’s likely that he’ll be able to resume play without any major setbacks. But this remains something to keep an eye on as the spring continues.

As for Abreu, he clarified that his viral broken-bat check swing wasn’t quite as impressive as it may have seemed. Apparently, the bat had already been compromised from an earlier at-bat. While it’s always fun to see a viral moment like that, it’s clear that Abreu’s power isn’t just a fluke, and the team continues to like what they’re seeing from him.

Overall, the Red Sox left Hammond Stadium on a positive note, with solid pitching, good situational hitting, and a promising glimpse of what the team could become. The competition for the No. 5 starter spot remains the most important storyline of the spring. With so many pitchers recovering from injuries or still building up their arms, the Red Sox will need to carefully assess each player’s progress over the coming weeks. They have the depth, they have the talent, but they need to ensure they’ve got the right mix of players to make a postseason run.

With more games to come, it’s clear that the Red Sox are shaping up to be a well-rounded, competitive team. The question now is: who will emerge from the rotation battle to fill that crucial final spot? With Cora’s message of patience ringing loud, the answer may not come immediately, but the team is on track to make the most informed decision possible. The outlines of the competition—and the possibilities it holds—are starting to take shape.