Red Sox manager Alex Cora refused to speculate on a potential timeline, but it’s seemingly a positive development that Fitts isn’t dealing with a high-grade strain. The 25-year-old hit the injured list this past weekend and is likely facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario. There should be some clarity here once he’s cleared to start a throwing program.

Not good. Fitts is headed back to Boston to undergo additional evaluation and testing to determine the severity of the injury after making an early exit from Saturday’s start against the White Sox with right shoulder pain. It’s an encouraging development that it’s not directly shoulder-related from a structural standpoint, but the 25-year-old righty could be facing an extended absence. The positive news for the Red Sox is that both Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are close to making it back to the rotation mix.

Fitts was in the midst of the strongest performance of his young career when he was forced to depart the contest with apparent shoulder discomfort. The 25-year-old struck out five and scattered three baserunners over five scoreless frames before leaving the contest at the outset of the sixth inning. Any sort of extended absence would put some additional strain on Boston’s injury-depleted rotation. He’ll presumably head for additional testing to determine the severity of the issue and is in serious jeopardy of missing his next scheduled start on Friday against the White Sox.

Fitts, who was known for his command in the minors, walked four batters, two of whom came around to score. He had issued a total of seven walks in his previous five big-league starts. We’re guessing the near-freezing temps had something to do with the control issues tonight. Fitts makes for a decent streaming option when he takes on the White Sox this weekend.