Red Sox Rookie Pitcher Hunter Dobbins Out for Season with Torn ACL

The Boston Red Sox will continue their season without rookie pitcher Hunter Dobbins, who sustained a torn ACL during Friday's game against Tampa Bay at Fenway Park.

In the second inning, Dobbins, 25, injured his right knee while covering first base. After catching a throw from first baseman Abraham Toro, he landed awkwardly on the bag, leading to immediate discomfort. Despite attempting a warmup throw, he was unable to continue and was subsequently removed from the game. An MRI confirmed the severity of the injury.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora reflected on the incident, stating, "When it happened, I thought something minor, but talking to him, he felt it right away. He's been through that before." Dobbins himself recalled a similar experience from his high school football days in Texas.

"I've torn my ACL in this knee before and it was the same feeling," Dobbins shared on Saturday, expressing his disappointment over the situation.

This season, Dobbins made 11 starts for the Red Sox, achieving a record of 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA. The team selected him in the eighth round of the 2021 draft.

"Pretty disappointed, want to be out there helping these guys win," he told WBZ-TV. "To kind of go down like that, out for the year, is pretty tough."

Looking ahead, Dobbins plans to undergo surgery soon. "We're going to go to some pretty good surgeons. We have the best rehab guys here so I plan on being back to full strength next year," he stated confidently.

In response to Dobbins's injury, the Red Sox have called up right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester. Fitts has made eight starts for the Red Sox this season, posting a 4.28 ERA.