'I'm not invincible': Red Sox pitcher Richard Fitts learns valuable lesson after being optioned to Triple-A Worcester

WORCESTER — Richard Fitts learned a valuable lesson after his last start with the Boston Red Sox .

“That I’m not invincible,” he said.

On June 2, the right-handed pitcher allowed six runs (five earned) and three home runs in one inning during a loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Following his worst start to date as a big leaguer, Fitts was optioned to Triple-A Worcester .

“I was having a pretty good run up there and kind of thought that I was unhittable, I guess,” said Fitts, who rushed back from the injured list to help an overworked Red Sox pitching staff. “But ultimately, I think that one’s actions have consequences — good consequences and bad consequences. I felt like I helped our bullpen out for a brief time, but then all of a sudden (I pitched) one inning, and it’s like, am I helping the bullpen by doing that?

“So, it’s just a double-edged sword when it comes to it.”

Since being promoted to Boston from Triple-A Worcester last September, the player acquired from the New York Yankees in a trade for Alex Verdugo allowed three runs or less in his first eight major league starts while going at least five innings in each of those outings.

But after allowing no runs and two hits across five innings in a start against the Chicago White Sox April 12, Fitts landed on the injured list with a right pectoral strain.

“It sucked,” Fitts said. “That was the first time I’ve ever missed time in professional baseball. So it hit me kind of hard because I don’t know how to rehab.”

During his rehab, Fitts felt pain doing everyday activities. The 25-year-old couldn’t put his socks on without it hurting. He missed more than a month of action.

“I wasn’t walking around in constant pain,” Fitts said. “It was just as soon as I tried to do something, it would hurt. So it was not fun. I don’t recommend it.”

As the Red Sox rotation struggled in May, Fitts returned to the team without going through a true rehab assignment. He threw just three innings in a start for Double-A Portland on May 22 and pitched for Boston five days later.

Fitts went three innings and allowed two hits and no runs in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 27. It was the start after, however, when Fitts endured a 39-pitch nightmare during which he gave up six runs before registering an out against the Angels.

“You got to be on every day, and, I didn’t really have it, and that might have been just because of a little bit of practice that I wasn’t able to get,” Fitts said. “But I learned from that and (know I need to) take my time coming back.”

On June 7, Fitts made his first start for the Worcester Red Sox since being optioned to Triple A. Following a shaky first frame, Fitts finished with a pitching line of 3 innings, 4 runs, 6 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound righty threw 60 pitches and topped out at 96 mph with his four-seam fastball.

“I feel great. Even when I came back, I was completely healthy, quote unquote,” Fitts said. “Just hadn’t really gotten the innings to completely build up. So super understandable. But I asked to be up there, so I’m happy with the decision.

“I need to get back up to where I can throw close to 100 pitches a game, and every five days,” Fitts added. “So hopefully we can do that quickly and feel like we’re ready to go back to the big leagues.”

While Fitts currently finds himself in the minor leagues, he understands why he’s back with Triple-A Worcester.

Fitts is learning valuable lessons early in his professional baseball career.

“Now I can come down, I can catch my breath for a second and really hone in on some things that I really wanted to work on,” Fitts said. “This league is full of guys that have played in the big leagues, and so I’m going to have plenty of practice while I’m down here.

“So let's attack it and get better every day, and hopefully be back as soon as possible.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'I'm not invincible': Red Sox pitcher Richard Fitts learns valuable lesson after being optioned to Triple-A Worcester