In a perfect world, the Boston Red Sox would activate David Price after a strong showing in his rehab starts. This is not that world.
There is no questioning that the Boston Red Sox could use a healthy David Price in the starting rotation. For as well as Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez have pitched this season, the rest of the rotation has struggled. Drew Pomeranz has been a disaster, and Rick Porcello has not exactly replicated his Cy Young season from last year. The Red Sox need Price to come back.
That comeback is set to happen on Monday. According to Ian Browne, Price will be making his 2017 debut against the White Sox on Monday. This will move Sale’s start back to Tuesday, and help solidify the Red Sox rotation. At least, in theory.
David Price will make his 2017 debut on Monday in Chicago. Chris Sale to face his former team Tuesday night. @RedSox.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 25, 2017
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The problem is that Price does not appear to be ready. He has allowed six runs on 12 hits and two walks in his 5.2 innings in Pawtucket, even though he has struck out eight batters. And it is possible that his poor performance in the rehab outings are a matter of shaking off the rust from his long layoff.
Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons for concern. In watching his outing for the PawSox, Price has consistently been missing up with his pitches. While that will help him generate those strikeouts, he is missing with everything. Even at the AAA level, those pitches will get hammered, and the results certainly bear out that reality.
Although the Red Sox are currently three games over .500, there is a degree of desperation about this move. Rumors have circulated that John Farrell is going to be fired in the near future, and the Red Sox have struggled to find consistency. Price, if healthy, can provide that for the rotation. But is he truly ready to make his return?
Next: Sean Rodriguez looking to come back this season
In a perfect world, David Price would have another rehab outing and show strides before returning to the Boston Red Sox. Instead, he is set to return on Monday, which is earlier than he should come back based on the results.