Payton Tolle in limbo as Red Sox weigh call-up to replace injured Sonny Gray

WORCESTER — Payton Tolle is awaiting word from the Red Sox on whether he will be called up to replace Sonny Gray in the rotation.

Boston has held out its top pitching prospect since the weekend, initially keeping him in reserve in case inclement weather forced a postponement of the game on Sunday against the Tigers.

That decision now looms larger after Gray lasted just 2 2/3 innings on Monday before exiting with what he described as a “grab” in his right hamstring. The veteran was placed on the injured list on Tuesday, opening the door for a potential call-up.

Gray doesn't think his injury is a long-term issue, but he understands the Red Sox need to place him on the injured list. 

“I’m not concerned for a long-term thing," Gray said on Monday. "Having familiarity with it is a good thing because it’s kinda like a ‘crap’ thing too because you have familiarity with the same thing. It doesn’t feel as bad as it has other times where I have missed time. I will say that. And that’s a good thing.”

Tolle, 23, has been impressive to start the season with Worcester, going 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA over 15 innings. He’s posted a 1.07 WHIP while holding opponents to a .214 batting average.

Ahead of the WooSox series opener against the Syracuse Mets at Polar Park, manager Chad Tracy was asked about Tolle’s status and whether a promotion to Boston could be on the horizon.

“Obviously, he's been in limbo since the end of last week,” said Tract. “I think, you know, there's a pretty good likelihood, he’ll go. I have not heard that officially, I won't make that a secret obviously; he's not throwing, he's not scheduled right now.”

Tolle was originally scheduled to start last Saturday against the Nashville Sounds but was scratched before the game, with Worcester turning to left-hander Michael Sansone, who delivered six scoreless innings.

The WooSox had planned to start Tolle on Sunday as well, but were instructed by the big league club to hold him back.

“He was supposed to throw on Saturday. We were still optimistic of Sunday. A lot of that was predicated on the weather in Boston, like the weather looked terrible,” added Tracy. 

Over the past few days, Tracy and his staff have focused on keeping Tolle in the right headspace. The left-hander has stayed active, getting light work in, including brief bullpen sessions of 10–12 pitches, as he awaits his next opportunity.

Tracy noted that Tolle likes to touch the mound daily, and joked that, aside from his work on and off the field, he’s also been “crushing” the clubhouse food spread.

“He's very good about his routine and what he knows he's supposed to do leading into his start,” said Tracy. As each day he doesn’t pitch in a game, Tolle continues to adjust to his preparation to be ready for Boston. 

Tolle has been dominant over his last two starts. He went six innings on the road against St. Paul, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.

He was just as sharp in his previous outing against Columbus, tossing five scoreless innings while issuing one walk and striking out six.

“His last couple starts… the one in St. Paul, and the other one against Columbus, were pretty electric,” said Tracy. “The one against Columbus, in particular, he landed his off-speed for strikes; and when he's landed his off-speed (pitches) for strikes and then running 98 mph with that big extension in on lefties and running up, he's very difficult to deal with.

“I always feel like with Tolle, if he’s getting all of his arsenal in the strike zone, he’s tough to deal with.” 

Tolle’s developing secondary pitches are a big reason he opened the season with Worcester rather than breaking camp with the big league club. Less than two years after being selected in the second round, he has moved quickly through the system, powered by a fastball that can touch 100 mph.

While Tolle features a five-pitch mix, his fastball is already considered big league-ready. This offseason, he focused on refining his secondary offerings to better complement it.

One area of emphasis has been his sinker, a pitch he’s worked to develop as another weapon to play off his fastball and round out his arsenal.

“We know that big league Payton has to have those pitches, and the way that they've been going right now, I feel like just getting more feel for them,” Tolle said to Boston Sports Journal. “I feel like I’ve shown it in the past two games of getting the changeups in zone and it really giving hitters trouble.

“Another thing that’s nice, is having the sinker being a third pitch that can be thrown in zone, instead of just the fastball and slider/cutter from last year.”

Tolle thinks the improvements he’s made has him ready for the potential call-up. 

“It’s not my first year coming up,” said Tolle. “Being able to be there last year, the same coaches, same group of players, it creates better conversations, better questions to be asked, and forces me to be better.

“Spring training was great for me to show some personality and show guys who I am and be comfortable… I’m excited about whatever may happen.”

If the Red Sox turn to Tolle, he could make his season debut as early as Saturday in Baltimore against the Orioles. While he waits for the call, Boston has already added a fresh arm, promoting left-hander Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester.

The club could also reshuffle the rotation in the short term. Connelly Early is starting on Tuesday against the Yankees, followed by fellow left-hander Ranger Suárez and right-hander Brayan Bello.

As for Gray, he told reporters Tuesday that he feels “OK” and is optimistic he won’t miss much time. In the meantime, Tolle remains on standby in Worcester as Boston’s pitching depth continues to thin.

“Overall, feel as I hoped and expected to feel,” said Gray. “There’s a little bit of soreness there, but it’s not that bad, so overall, the way I feel is frustrated, but also I feel good. Frustrated, obviously, because I’m gonna probably miss a couple of starts, but I feel good because overall in the grand scheme of it, I feel good.”

“I woke up this morning feeling like (expletive), but my leg was OK,” Gray said to reporters.