Boston Red Sox Pitcher Hunter Dobbins Exits Game with Knee Pain

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins exited Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning due to right knee pain. The 25-year-old was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to the game, having missed 18 games due to a right elbow strain. Dobbins was 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA entering Friday, 12 games and 10 starts into his rookie season.

Boston, July 2, 2025 - Boston Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins exited Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning due to right knee pain. The 25-year-old rookie was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to the game, having missed 18 games due to a right elbow strain [1].

Dobbins, who had just been cleared to return to the lineup, made his first start off the injured list. In the second inning, he covered first on a groundout by Chandler Simpson, but came up limping after hitting the bag. Following a warm-up pitch, Red Sox manager Alex Cora called upon Jorge Alcala out of the bullpen to replace Dobbins [2].

Prior to his injury, Dobbins was 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA entering Friday, 12 games and 10 starts into his rookie season. He had been placed on the injured list on June 22 (retroactive to June 21) with a right elbow strain and made one rehab start with Double-A Portland, giving up one run over five innings and striking out eight on July 5 [1].

The injury is a setback for the Red Sox, who are currently in the middle of a crucial stretch. However, the team has been bolstered by the strong performance of Lucas Giolito, who owns a 0.70 ERA over his last six starts (38.2 innings, 3 ER) [3].

References:
[1] https://www.mlb.com/news/hunter-dobbins-exits-early-in-red-sox-return-with-knee-injury
[2] https://www.reuters.com/sports/red-sox-starter-hunter-dobbins-exits-vs-rays-with-knee-pain-2025-07-12/
[3] https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/history/boston-red-sox-pitcher-lucas-giolito-extends-historic-streak-with-another-gem-vs-colorado-rockies-6-game-stretch-era-01jzs4xd2mne