With three starters opening the season on the DL, Velazquez gets the nod the first turn through the rotation. The Red Sox purchased his contract from the Mexican League a year ago. The righty made three starts last year, going 0-1 with a 5.02 ERA.
Faria is entering his second season on the Major League roster after joining the team during the 2017 season. Opponents put his split-change in play 39 times last season, and average just an 80.1-mph average exit velocity.