Newcomb’s days in Boston’s rotation are likely numbered with Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) on the verge of making it back to the majors before the end of April. However, he’s continued to hold his own and put together his strongest outing of the season on Wednesday night at hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field, liming Tampa Bay’s offense to just four hits and two walks, while working into the fifth inning. There’s a chance he takes the ball on Tuesday against the Mariners, but only if Bello isn’t ready to come off the injured list.

Newcomb fell victim to some shotty defense in this one. Triston Casas made a poor throw on what could’ve been an inning-ending double play in the fourth inning. Instead, the White Sox rallied for four unearned runs as this game got out of hand. Newcomb wasn’t particularly sharp either, though. He only forced five total swings-and-misses and struggled to place his fastball in the strike zone. It’s likely he’s the odd man out of this Red Sox rotation whenever either Brayan Bello or Lucas Giolito are healthy and ready to rejoin the rotation.

The left-hander struck out five and walked three while registering a 25 percent whiff rate and 28 percent CSW. Newcomb leaned heavily on his cutter, and while it didn’t miss many bats on its own, it was in the zone often, which allowed his four-seam fastball to post seven whiffs on 18 swings for a 39 percent whiff rate. Newcomb has a 5.19 ERA for Boston through two starts. He likely only has one more turn in the rotation with both Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito nearing their return; however, Newcomb could be a deep-league streaming option in that start next week against the White Sox.

All of the runs scored in the first, which featured four singles and a double. Newcomb was able to turn in three scoreless innings afterwards and keep the Red Sox in the game, but that’s the best that can be said for his outing. He’ll make one more start Sunday against the Cardinals and then should be in line to be replaced by either Brayan Bello or Lucas Giolito.