The Red Sox are calling up Jake Bennett, their No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, to start Friday night’s game against the Astros, the club announced. Boston acquired the 25-year-old Bennett in December in a trade with the Nationals that sent 23-year-old pitcher Luis Perales to Washington.
Bennett, a left-hander, will start in place of 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet, who was placed on the injured list Wednesday (retroactive to Sunday) with left shoulder inflammation.
In five starts at Triple-A Worcester, Bennett allowed just three runs (two earned) across 21 innings. He had not allowed a home run and had struck out 16 batters against just three walks.
It was Bennett’s first stint at the highest level of the Minor Leagues after posting a 2.27 ERA across Single-A, High-A and Double-A in 2025. The Nationals selected Bennett -- who is 6-foot-6 and 234 pounds and boasts an arsenal built around his changeup -- in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.
Bennett will have his work cut out for him in Friday’s series opener with Houston. Though the Astros are just 12-20 to begin the year, they have the third-highest team OPS (.784) in MLB this season. Much of that is thanks to a resurgent Yordan Alvarez, whose 12 home runs are tied for the league lead.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Fenway Park. Houston will have offseason trade acquisition Mike Burrows on the mound opposite Bennett.