Payton Tolle
Breakdown
Performance
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April 29, 2026
Experiences velocity drop
Tolle's fastball averaged 95 mph in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays, a drop from 97.1 during last Thursday's outing, Zack Worden of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy downplayed the drop in velocity, noting that Tolle had extended time between outings when the left-hander started against the Yankees last Thursday. "Keep in mind that he had 10 days off [before throwing against the Yankees], and he went to 93 pitches," Tracy said. "So we knew that, and it was still 95 [mph], mostly. So, it wasn't like he was soft-tossing." With Sonny Gray (hamstring) beginning to throw off a mound Monday, Tolle's time in the rotation could come to a close soon. He should be able to fit in at least one more start, and maybe more if struggling starter Brayan Bello doesn't right his ship when he pitches the series finale Wednesday.
April 29, 2026
Yields three runs in loss
Tolle (0-1) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings.
Analysis
Tolle struck out 11 Yankees batters across six innings in his 2026 debut with the Red Sox this past Thursday, but Tuesday's contest against another AL East rival was a different story for the 23-year-old southpaw. He gave up two runs in the third inning and another in the fifth before being pulled, and he was tagged with the loss after his Boston teammates failed to generate any runs while logging just four hits and one walk. Tolle's next turn in the rotation comes next week on the road against the Tigers, but that could be his last if Sonny Gray (hamstring) is cleared to return from the 15-day injured list when eligible May 6. That said, interim manager Chad Tracy could opt to keep Tolle in the rotation if Brayan Bello cannot overcome his slow start to the season.
April 26, 2026
Sticking around for another start
Tolle is slated to make his next start Tuesday against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
Analysis
Tolle's inclusion in the rotation for at least one more turn was a foregone conclusion after the 23-year-old lefty dazzled in his 2026 MLB debut this past Thursday. While making a start in place of the injured Sonny Gray (hamstring), Tolle racked up 11 punchouts and allowed just one earned run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a no-decision against the Yankees. Gray could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible May 6 or soon thereafter, but the Red Sox may still be willing to keep Tolle around in the rotation if he continues to pitch well and/or if Brayan Bello (9.00 ERA, 2.27 WHIP in 22 innings this season) continues to languish.
April 24, 2026
Racks up 11 punchouts in 2026 debut
Tolle allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Thursday.
Analysis
Tolle looked dominant against a tough Yankees lineup, racking up 18 swinging strikes and a career-high 11 punchouts. The southpaw gave up a solo homer to Jazz Chisholm in the fifth inning, but the Yankees managed just two other hits (both singles) against him. Tolle was called up Thursday to take the rotation spot of Sonny Gray, who is on the injured list with a hamstring issue. With Gray slated to miss about two more weeks, at minimum, Tolle should get an opportunity to make additional starts for the big-league club. If he's anywhere near as effective as he was Thursday, the Red Sox may have no choice but to keep Tolle in the big-league rotation.
April 23, 2026
Officially recalled ahead of start
The Red Sox recalled Tolle from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis
Tolle will start Thursday's game against the rival Yankees in place of the injured Sonny Gray (hamstring). The left-hander has logged a 3.00 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB across 15 innings in his first three starts for Worcester this season. There's a good chance Tolle will get an additional start or two for the Red Sox while Gray recuperates.
