Kyle Hart in contention for Red Sox debut Thursday

BOSTON --- The Red Sox have yet to name a starting pitcher for Thursday’s series finale against the Rays.

That fact hasn’t escaped the attention of left-hander Kyle Hart, who would be scheduled to work at the alternate site in Pawtucket. The 27-year-old has yet to make his Boston debut and could be among the candidates to take the ball for the first time at Fenway Park.

"I’m not going to play dumb," Hart said. "I know how close I am. But I also know [...]

BOSTON --- The Red Sox have yet to name a starting pitcher for Thursday’s series finale against the Rays.

That fact hasn’t escaped the attention of left-hander Kyle Hart, who would be scheduled to work at the alternate site in Pawtucket. The 27-year-old has yet to make his Boston debut and could be among the candidates to take the ball for the first time at Fenway Park.

"I’m not going to play dumb," Hart said. "I know how close I am. But I also know there’s a long way to go."

Hart has retired 34 of the last 38 men he’s faced across a pair of simulated games at McCoy Stadium. He was added to the club’s 40-man roster during the offseason after being selected in the 19th round out of Indiana in 2016. Hart pitched across two levels in 2019, making a combined 24 starts at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket.

"In terms of this week, I’m preparing to pitch here," Hart said. "I’m in Pawtucket right now. I’m just going to continue to prepare just like I have been.

"If they need a guy, they can call me. I’ll be there. I’ll be ready."

The Red Sox have Martin Perez scheduled for Tuesday, Zack Godley for Wednesday and a likely bullpen day on Friday at the Yankees. They’ll give Nathan Eovaldi an extra day of rest prior to his Saturday start in the Bronx.

"Whoever is pitching well, we want to give more opportunities to," Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. "I think it will continue to change the personnel we have, especially through these periods where we don’t have many days off."

Hart posted a 3.86 earned-run average with the PawSox last season. His 31 victories with the Hoosiers rank Hart second in program history, and he recorded 17 of those against Big Ten foes.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

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