Sean Newcomb DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Boston Red Sox announced on Saturday that they designated left-hander Sean Newcomb for assignment and recalled right-hander Luis Guerrero from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Newcomb gets the boot off the team's 40- man roster after opening the year with an 0-4 record, 3.83 ERA (3.28 FIP) and a 1.75 WHIP with 41 strikeouts and 16 walks in 40 innings pitched over 11 appearances (five starts). The 31-year-old southpaw has really struggled of late, allowing seven runs (six earned) in his last 12 1/3 innings, causing him to lose his spot on the MLB roster. If Newcomb clears waivers, he could return to Worcester and stay in Boston's organization as left-handed pitching depth. Obviously, Newcomb isn't on the fantasy radar at this time.

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.