Red Sox rookie Dobbins suffers season-ending torn ACL

Boston Red Sox rookie right-hander Hunter Dobbins' season is over after he suffered a torn right ACL during Friday's win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Dobbins was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Right-hander Richard Fitts was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

Dobbins got hurt while covering first base on Chandler Simpson's second-inning groundout. He came up limping after stepping on the bag with his left foot and was removed after trying to throw one warm-up pitch.

(Video source: MLB.com)

An MRI taken Friday night at Fenway Park confirmed the injury.

Dobbins told reporters Saturday that he knew what had happened immediately because he tore his right ACL in high school, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.

This latest injury occurred during Dobbins' first start in nearly a month. He came off the IL Friday after recovering from an elbow strain.

The 25-year-old had been enjoying a solid rookie season, putting up a 4.13 ERA, 3.82 FIP, and 1.28 WHIP with 45 strikeouts over 61 innings.

His long-term absence leaves yet another hole in the Red Sox rotation. Boston is already missing Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, and Patrick Sandoval, among others.

Fitts appears likely to slot into Dobbins' vacated rotation spot following the All-Star break.

"Nobody has to step up. Somebody has to just jump in," manager Alex Cora said Saturday, per Smith. "And we've got capable guys. Fitts is here now. We'll set up the rotation after the break, probably with him in mind. And we'll go from there."

Cora added that Houck, who could complete his rehab assignment next week, will also be "in the equation" once the second half gets going.

The Red Sox enter Saturday as one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won eight straight games to move back into a wild-card spot.