OAKLAND, Calif. -- Hector Velazquez is scheduled to make his major league debut Thursday night when the Boston Red Sox open a four-game road series against the Oakland Athletics.
With lefties David Price (strained left elbow) and Drew Pomeranz (strained left triceps) on the shelf, the Red Sox will try a minor league option in a low-risk situation -- in a pitchers' ballpark against one of American League's weakest teams.
The A's will counter with right-hander Sonny Gray, who has something in common with Velazquez. He also will be looking for his first win of the season as Oakland opens a weeklong, six-game homestand.