At the start of Tuesday, as Sonny Gray took stock of how he felt, there were two elements: the physical and the mental.
Physically, he was no worse than expected, with a strained right hamstring — which landed him on the injured list — that felt less strained than prior experiences. He didn’t want to estimate how long he will be out before getting MRI results back.
Mentally, well, that was rougher.
“I woke up this morning feeling like [expletive],” Gray said, lamenting any amount of missed time after exiting Monday’s Sox win over the Tigers in the third inning. “But my leg was OK.”
Gray’s injury is the latest test for the Red Sox and their pitching depth. Although manager Alex Cora did not name a replacement for the newly open spot in the rotation, top prospect Payton Tolle figures to be a prime candidate to slot in by Saturday, maybe earlier.
The Red Sox have lefthander Ranger Suarez starting Wednesday and righthander Brayan Bello going Thursday against the Yankees — “for now,” Cora added before Tuesday night’s series opening 4-0 loss to the Yankees at Fenway Park.
Tolle hasn’t pitched since April 12, held back last week in case the Sox needed the lefthander. He isn’t scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Worcester this week, either.
Attrition has cost the Red Sox a bunch of their other would-be options.
“We went through it last year. We go through it every year,” Cora said of the depth getting less deep. “A few days ago [when the topic came up], where we’re at, [Cora said] I feel comfortable. But then that happened yesterday [with Gray], and now you have to make decisions, and the moving parts, and other guys down there have to step up.”
As mediocre as the rotation has been, it at least has been healthy — at least among the starting five. The next five, though, have taken a bunch of hits.
Johan Oviedo, long reliever/maybe starter, is out indefinitely because of a strained right flexor. Tyler Uberstine is on Worcester’s injured list because of right shoulder soreness. Patrick Sandoval (left biceps soreness) and Kutter Crawford (right flexor inflammation) had their rehab assignments paused.
That leaves the likes of Tolle and fellow lefty Jake Bennett, described by Cora as “on the map,” foremost among those remaining. The Red Sox are not considering righthander Jack Anderson for Gray’s starts, according to Cora.
“We take a lot of pride in taking care of [pitchers] early on [in the season] and making sure that we keep them healthy throughout so they can actually help us,” Cora said. “It’s not that it doesn’t matter now, but you know what I mean — August, September, stay fresh and keep going. So, there’s a lot going on right now, and I know that but I feel like we are in an OK place.”
Lefty reliever Tyler Samaniego was called up from Worcester to fill Gray’s roster spot.
Clarity for Crawford
After days of waiting, Crawford received input on the MRI: He has inflammation, but no structural damage, in his right forearm/elbow, he said.
Crawford is shut down indefinitely but expects to resume throwing “soon.”
“They didn’t tell me [how long], but they want to make sure my strength is getting back,” he said. “I hope soon is sooner than later.”
Schlittler’s homecoming
After telling reporters in New York over the weekend that he had been harassed online by Red Sox fans, including receiving death threats, Yankees righthander Cam Schlittler (Walpole/Northeastern) said Tuesday that all of his in-person interactions have been pleasant.
“It’s really just the people online that aren’t respectful,” he said. “Typical Boston fans that are everyday guys, they’re not going to give you too much to worry about in person.”
Schlittler is slated to pitch Thursday, his first game at Fenway Park as a big leaguer.
“We don’t comment on specific security protocols, but the safety of all players, staff, and fans is always our top priority,” a Red Sox spokesperson said. “We have well-established procedures and significant resources in place for every game to ensure a safe environment.”
Duran sits again
Jarren Duran was on the bench for a third time in four games, with Masataka Yoshida the designated hitter because he is “swinging the bat well,” Cora said.
“Early on, [Duran] was taking walks, and now he’s chasing,” Cora said. “We got to make sure we swing at the right ones.”
Tests for Valera
Juan Valera, a flamethrowing starting pitcher prospect, is getting an MRI on his sore right elbow, a source said.
Valera missed three months in 2025 because of an elbow problem. Last week, he left a start for Single-A Greenville suddenly when the elbow bothered him again.
On the season, Valera, who turns 20 next month, has 17 strikeouts in 9⅓ innings (three starts). In the outing prior to the injury, he threw a fastball at 101.7 miles per hour Boston … Marathon champions — and record-holders — John Korir and Sharon Lokedi threw out ceremonial first pitches.
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.