The 6-foot-5, 255-pound lefty was pretty much lights out across five Grapefruit League appearances, four of which were starts. It helped Newcomb, who signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox in January and received a non-roster invite to spring training, go from a long-shot to make Boston’s Opening Day roster to being right in the mix for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
Injuries to Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford helped open up the opportunity for Newcomb as well, and the 31-year-old took full advantage.
The Red Sox have yet to announce their final two starters in the rotation and it’s between Newcomb, Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester, Cooper Criswell and Michael Fulmer. Newcomb feels he’s made a strong case to be a member of the starting staff.
“I feel like I’ve done everything I can to put my name in there for a slot and everything,” Newcomb told reporters Thursday, per The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams. “It feels good to have a full spring and get pitching again. That’s all that really matters to me.”
Story continues below advertisement
Newcomb had his longest outing of the spring Thursday against the Minnesota Twins, and once again impressed. The Middleboro, Mass., native tossed 4 1/3 innings in which he allowed one run, which was unearned, to go along with four hits, no walks and three strikeouts.
Newcomb pounding the zone was important given his past control issues in his career. He threw 35 of his 47 pitches for strikes.
“Coming into today, I had a little bit of everything working,” Newcomb said. “The players were swinging aggressively so I just used that to my advantage.”
The strong showing lowered Newcomb’s ERA to a microscopic 0.63. He also owns a 0.84 WHIP and has struck out 13 batters in 14 1/3 innings.
Story continues below advertisement
Newcomb is expected to get one more exhibition appearance, coming next week when the Red Sox play in Mexico.
