An hour before Friday night's game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, the Boston Red Sox scratched Tanner Houck from his start and replaced him with rookie hurler Richard Fitts.

Fitts made his second career start on Friday against the team that traded him to Boston for outfielder Alex Verdugo, and he delivered.

The 24-year-old walked the bases loaded in the first inning but was able to escape without allowing a run. He allowed just two more base runners in his remaining four innings without surrendering a single run. He was in line for a win with Boston up 2-0 when he departed, but the bullpen gave up five runs in the bottom of the seventh to blow the lead and give New York the victory. 

Fitts allowed two runs (zero earned) in 5 2/3 innings in his first outing against the Chicago White Sox. He could've been in line for the win in that one as well if Triston Casas hadn't allowed Zach DeLoach to reach on an error in the top of the sixth.

SoxProspects currently ranks Fitts as No. 12 in the system and No. 2 pitcher behind only David Sandlin, who is just one spot above him.

If Fitts looks solid the rest of the year, he could be in line for a spot in the rotation in 2025, and that would be huge for Boston.

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