Red Sox Bullpen Candidates Vie for Final Spots in Matchup Against Phillies

Two top contenders for the Red Sox's last bullpen jobs will take the mound in Thursday's spring training game.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 5:20pm

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The Boston Red Sox will be going with a bullpen game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, with non-roster invitee T.J. Sikkema getting the start. He will be followed by Wyatt Olds, Jacob Webb, Kyle Keller, and Ryan Watson - two of whom, Keller and Watson, are competing for one of the final bullpen spots on the Red Sox roster.

Why it matters

The Red Sox are still finalizing their bullpen ahead of the regular season, and Thursday's game provides an opportunity for some of the top contenders to showcase their skills and make their case for a spot on the big league roster.

The details

Keller and Watson are the two most interesting pitchers to watch, as they may be competing for one of the last Red Sox bullpen spots. Watson is a Rule 5 pick who must either spend the entire season on the active big league roster or be offered back to the San Francisco Giants, while Keller is a non-roster invitee who has impressed in camp so far.

  • The game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

T.J. Sikkema

A non-roster invitee who will get the start for the Red Sox in Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Kyle Keller

A non-roster invitee who is competing for one of the final bullpen spots on the Red Sox roster.

Ryan Watson

A Rule 5 pick who must either spend the entire season on the active big league roster or be offered back to the San Francisco Giants, and is also competing for a bullpen spot.

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What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to evaluate their bullpen options throughout the remainder of spring training, with the final roster decisions likely coming down to the wire before Opening Day.

The takeaway

Thursday's game against the Phillies provides a crucial opportunity for some of the Red Sox's bullpen candidates to make their case for a spot on the big league roster, as the team looks to finalize its pitching staff ahead of the start of the regular season.