Sean Newcomb DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

After the Boston Red Sox optioned right-hander Quinn Priester to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, it's likely that left-hander Sean Newcomb will open the year as the team's fifth starter, and he was officially added to the Opening Day roster on Thursday before their game against the Texas Rangers. Newcomb earned the spot, posting a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts in five Grapefruit League appearances (four starts). Injuries to Brayan Bello (shoulder), Kutter Crawford (knee) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) have given the 31-year-old southpaw an opportunity to open the 2025 campaign. However, depending on how he fares on the mound, Newcomb could only be in line to stick in Boston's rotation for the first couple of turns in the first month of the season. His season debut will come on Monday in Baltimore against the division-rival Orioles, where he should be avoided in fantasy.

MLB.com's Ian Browne says not to rule out Boston Red Sox left-hander Sean Newcomb for an Opening Day starting rotation spot with Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all opening the regular season on the injured list. "He's been solid. The cutter has made a difference. Throwing strikes, that's the most important thing. This is a guy we've seen from the last few years against us. It always caught my attention. They've done a good job, the pitching department, adding the cutter, kind of like a strike stealer or avoiding barrels. And so far, so good. He's in the hunt. He's caught our eyes," manager Alex Cora said. The 31-year-old southpaw and former first-rounder in 2014 by the Los Angeles Angels has given up only one run in 9 2/3 spring innings and is competing with Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts for the final rotation spot out of camp. The fact Newcomb doesn't have minor-league options left could help his cause.

Oakland Athletics left-hander Sean Newcomb (knee), who has not pitched since March 20, is experiencing irritation in the left knee that he had surgery on last September, and it will put him on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2024 season. Newcomb had a 3.00 ERA in four Cactus League outings this spring and was expected to begin the year in the bullpen as the team's top lefty relief option. In addition to Newcomb, the A's bullpen is also dealing with injuries to Trevor Gott (elbow), who needs Tommy John surgery, and lefty Scott Alexander (ribs), so they could explore the free-agent market for more relief options to start the season. The 30-year-old southpaw wasn't on the fantasy radar to begin with after making just seven appearances (two starts) in his first season with the A's in 2023.