NEW YORK -- Boston Red Sox rookie left-hander Payton Tolle will start Tuesday night's AL Wild Card Series opener against the New York Yankees, as announced by manager Chad Tracy on Monday. Tolle will be followed in the best-of-three series by right-hander Sonny Gray and left-hander Ranger Suarez. Yankees manager Aaron Boone had already set his rotation: Cam Schlittler in Game 1, followed by Max Fried and Gerrit Cole.

Tolle posted a 9-6 record with a 3.03 ERA in 26 starts, striking out 171 in 148⅔ innings. The 23-year-old excelled against the Yankees this season, holding them to a .093 batting average and a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings, with 18 strikeouts. He also faced one batter in last year's AL Wild Card Series, retiring Trent Grisham.

Tracy also addressed injured pitcher Garrett Crochet's status, calling it "up in the air." Crochet has not pitched since April 25 due to shoulder inflammation and a lat strain but is nearing a return and is being evaluated daily. "I've been feeling good," said Crochet, who traveled with the team. "I guess now it's just a matter if anybody agrees with me."

Crochet, acquired from the Chicago White Sox before 2025, was 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA that year but is 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA in six starts this season, skewed by a rough outing against the Minnesota Twins. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.