Newcomb did not factor in the decision during a loss to St. Louis in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader. He allowed one run on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings and struck out five batters.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb wasn't very efficient but was able to limit the damage and escape a couple of threats. He kept the Cardinals off the board until Masyn Winn's RBI single in the fourth inning. Newcomb has been tagged with 14 hits through 8.2 innings so far, resulting in a 5.19 ERA. His next start is projected to be a road matchup against the White Sox.

Newcomb is scheduled to start for Boston in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against St. Louis, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saturday's matchup was postponed due to inclement weather, and the two teams will consequently play a twin bill Sunday. Newcomb is scheduled to oppose Andre Pallante in the opener, and the Red Sox have yet to announce their starter for the nightcap. Newcomb struggled in his first start of the campaign, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a loss to Baltimore on March 31.

Newcomb (0-1) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

All four runs against Newcomb came during an ugly first inning, but he still allowed five more baserunners over the next three frames. He threw 40 of 64 pitches for strikes and forced four whiffs on just five swings against his slurve. Newcomb has not made more than four starts at the MLB level since the 2018 season with Atlanta. He's currently projected to face the Cardinals at home this weekend, but will likely lose his rotation spot once Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are ready to return sometime this month.

The Red Sox selected Newcomb's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb was a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, let alone the rotation, when he inked a minor-league deal in January. He will open the season as the fifth starter, however, after permitting just two runs (one earned) with a 13:3 K:BB in 14.1 Grapefruit League frames. Newcomb is slated for his season debut Monday in Baltimore.

Newcomb will throw five innings in a minor-league game Tuesday at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the Red Sox traveled to Mexico for a pair of exhibition games against teams from that country, Newcomb remained behind in Florida to make a final tune-up before a potential gig in Boston's rotation. His chances of landing a spot improved greatly over the weekend when the Red Sox assigned Quinn Priester to Triple-A Worcester. Cooper Criswell, who pitched two innings Sunday, is also still around. Whichever starter wins the final spot isn't expected to be part of the rotation for long, as both Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are due back at some point in April. Red Sox manager Alex Cora did not say Newcomb is a lock for the roster, but the the lefty put himself in position with a strong spring. In 14.1 innings over five appearances, the 31-year-old Massachusetts native posted a 0.63 ERA (one earned run) with nine hits allowed and a 13:3 K:BB.

Newcomb may be the slight favorite to open the season as the Red Sox' fifth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richard Fitts will handle the fourth spot, while Newcomb looks to have a bit of an edge over Quinn Priester for the final opening in the rotation while the Red Sox deal with multiple pitching injuries. It's been an unlikely re-emergence for Newcomb, who boasts a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks over 14.1 Grapefruit League innings. The lefty hasn't been used as a regular starter in the majors since 2018.

Newcomb allowed one unearned run on four hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb has flown under the radar for much of spring training, but injuries to Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) opened up a need for two pitchers to fill temporary holes in the rotation. Richard Fitts appears to have one of them locked up, while Newcomb, Cooper Criswell and Quinn Priester vie for the other one. Newcomb has a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks over 14.1 Grapefruit League innings.

Newcomb is in the mix to open the season in Boston's rotation while Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) are out, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb has been using a new cutter this spring and has "caught our eyes" with how he's pitched, per manager Alex Cora, allowing just one run with a 10:3 K:BB over 9.2 innings. Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts have been viewed as the favorites to capture the final two rotation spots, and that still might be the case. However, Priester and Fitts both have minor-league options remaining, so the Red Sox could send one of them down and award Newcomb with a rotation spot, helping to reinforce depth. Newcomb hasn't been used as a regular starter in the majors since 2018.

The Red Sox signed Newcomb to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb got into seven games with the Athletics this past season, allowing seven runs with a 7:8 K:BB over 10 innings. The 31-year-old left-hander is likely to open 2025 in the Triple-A Worcester bullpen.

The Athletics released Newcomb on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb was DFA'd by Oakland on Tuesday after he allowed seven earned runs in 10 innings with the major-league team. He's been relatively successful in Triple-A, posting a 3.22 ERA in 36.1 innings over the past two seasons, so he shouldn't have trouble securing a minor-league deal. However, he would likely need to show sustained success in Triple-A before getting another chance in the big leagues.