FORT MYERS, Fla. — Lefty Chris Murphy logged 47 ⅔ innings out of the Red Sox bullpen as a rookie in 2023.
The 26-year-old, a sixth-round pick in 2019, entered 2024 spring training competing for an Opening Day roster spot. However, Boston shut him down in March, and an MRI revealed significant ligament damage in his pitching elbow. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April.
A year later, he’s making progress in his recovery, having thrown two bullpen sessions—one with 10 pitches and the next with 15, all fastballs. “Progressing well,” Murphy said Sunday at JetBlue Park. “On track right now for an April 10 live BP. Beyond that, I don’t know the plan.”
His goal is to return at some point this season. When asked if the first half of the season was a possibility, he responded, “Hope so. Cross my fingers.”
Murphy wasn’t necessarily surprised by the need for surgery. “Over the past few years, I felt my arm health declining,” he said. “It became one of those situations where I had to ask, ‘OK, what’s next?’”
After logging 101 ⅓ innings as a starter for High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland in 2021, Murphy threw 152 innings for Portland the following year. However, in 2023, he struggled to maintain his stamina as a starter. “For some reason, I just couldn’t start anymore,” he said. “That stamina wasn’t there in terms of arm health. We managed in short spurts, as seen in the big leagues. And I thought, ‘If I get healthy, maybe I can go back to starting—walk fewer guys, throw more strikes. Who knows?’”
Murphy transitioned to a bullpen role in 2023 and eventually made his MLB debut. He initially thrived, posting a 2.94 ERA over his first 11 relief outings (33 ⅔ innings, 11 earned runs), but later struggled and finished the season with a 4.91 ERA.
“I could only pitch for two or three innings. I could sprint instead of running a marathon,” he said.
As for his future role with the Red Sox, there are no definitive plans. “I have no clue what the direction is,” Murphy said. “I assume it’s probably a bulk role, whether as a starter or reliever. Hopefully multi-innings. That seems to be a trend in baseball now—guys who can go two or three innings. So, having that versatility is key.”
