Red Sox's Gray has been highly effective on the mound following IL stint

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Red Sox's Sonny Gray has been highly effective on the mound following IL stint

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 31, 2026 12:29 PM ET

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray has shown a resurgence following a right hamstring strain that landed him on the 15-day IL on April 20.

Before landing on the IL across five starts, he was sporting a 4.30 ERA/4.41 FIP with 5.1 strikeouts and two walks across nine innings, with a .269 opponent batting average.

His numbers vastly improved after his IL stint, boasting a 2.00 ERA/2.69 FIP with 9.3 strikeouts and three walks across nine innings and a much improved .219 opponent batting average.

His swing-and-miss dominance became present following his first start returning from the IL. But overall, it's been a huge weapon in his recent success.

Sonny Gray before his IL stint:

5 Starts - 23 IP - 4.30 ERA/4.41 FIP - 5.1 K/9 - 2.0 BB/9 - .269 BAA

After his IL stint:

5 Starts - 27 IP- 2.00 ERA/2.69 FIP - 9.3 K/9 - 3.00 BB/9 - .219 BAA

It took him a start after returning to find the swing-and-miss, but it’s been massive. pic.twitter.com/FCTwCCVGsL
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) May 31, 2026

How Sonny Gray has stabilized the Red Sox's rotation following his IL stint

Gray has shown incredible efficiency on the mound as a 36-year-old veteran sporting a strong 6-1 record and 3.06 ERA with 41 strikeouts across 10 games this season.

In his most recent dominant performance on Saturday, facing the Cleveland Guardians, he collected his sixth win of the season, giving up one run on four hits with seven punchouts across six innings of work.

Gray put up a dominant performance on May 18 as well, which led the Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. He delivered 6+ strong innings, giving up only one run, with five hits and one walk while striking out nine. He also racked up 12 swing and misses.

Sonny Gray this month:

27 IP
2.00 ERA
1.11 WHIP
28 K | 9 BB

Gray continues to give the Red Sox consistent production in his first year in Boston! pic.twitter.com/w1TryPFUzJ
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 30, 2026

While interim manager Chad Tracy has limited Gray to around 80-92 pitches, his solid command and high walk rate of 6 percent (86th percentile) have helped to solidify the rotation.

The Red Sox have a strong rotation with Gray, Ranger Suarez and Payton Tolle. The return of Garrett Crochet from right shoulder inflammation will help to strengthen it. The Red Sox's rotation ERA of 3.82 ranks sixth in the AL and ninth in MLB.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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