TAMPA — An MRI revealed Red Sox starter Richard Fitts has a mild right pectoral strain.
He left his start Saturday against the White Sox in Chicago after five dominant innings. He had imaging done Monday.
“So it’s not as bad as what we thought,” manager Alex Cora said before Boston’s game Monday at the Rays’ temporary home, George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Obviously timetable, we don’t know yet. But out of the bad news, it’s the best possible result.”
Tanner Houck will start Monday when the Red Sox and Rays play here at 7:05 p.m. Walker Buehler will start Tuesday in the second game of this series.
The Red Sox have yet to determine who will start Wednesday.
Brayan Bello (right shoulder strain) could be back as early as next Monday when the Red Sox host the White Sox for their annual morning Patriots’ Day game.
Bello is making his fourth rehab start Wednesday at Hartford for Double-A Portland, Cora said. It’s expected to be his final tune up before he’s ready to be activated. He’d be on regular rest next Monday.
Lucas Giolito (left hamstring strain) will make his third rehab start Tuesday in Hartford for Portland, according to Cora. He likely will need one more rehab start after Tuesday.
“Bello is ahead of Gio in this,” Cora said. “So most likely is his (Bello’s) last one.”
The 25-year-old Fitts allowed six runs in 17 innings (3.18 ERA) over three starts.
Red Sox starters have the sixth best starter ERA (3.59) among major league teams, giving up 37 earned runs in 92 ⅔ innings so far.
Garrett Crochet has allowed only four earned runs in 27 innings (1.38 ERA). The other five Boston pitchers to make starts have allowed 33 earned runs in 65 ⅔ innings, a 4.52 ERA. Help is on the way though.
Hendriks on track for this weekend
Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow inflammation) is expected to make one more rehab appearance before being activated from the 15-day IL.
He’ll pitch for Double-A Portland on Wednesday at Hartford.
“And if everything goes well, he’ll be with us during the weekend,” Cora said.
The Red Sox will play Friday-Monday at home against the White Sox.
