As reported as a done deal by an ESPN reporter this morning, Just three weeks after he was reported to have inked a 3-year, $89.7 million contract extension deal with the Texas Rangers, it was confirmed this morning by ESPN that the franchise first baseman for the Texas Rangers has officially paid the Texas Rangers $50.4 million in cash for his contract to be terminated with immediate effect in favor of him to ink a 5-year blockbuster worth $280.6 million with the Boston Red Sox. As MLB confirmed too, it was confirmed that the franchise first baseman inked the deal after his conference meeting with the Boston Red Sox this morning, but unfortunately…

Update On Walker Buehler After Red Sox Pitcher Scratched From Start

Red Sox fans received a bit of a scare Sunday, less than a week before Boston kicked off its regular season in Texas.

Walker Buehler was supposed to start the Red Sox’s final Grapefruit League game of spring training, but Cooper Criswell ultimately toed the rubber against the Minnesota Twins. The last thing Boston needed was another dinged-up starting pitcher, as Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford and Lucas Giolito all are set to open the campaign on the injured list.

Fortunately for Buehler and his team, the veteran right-hander only was held back Sunday because he was dealing with a stomach bug. Boston is planning to have one of its marquee offseason additions throw six innings on a back field in Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday.

“He’s sick,” Alex Cora told reporters, per MassLive. “Hopefully, tomorrow, he’ll pitch on the back fields. He said he was feeling better. I was like, ‘Stay away from this and stay away from the clubhouse.’ The goal is for him to have six up-and-downs tomorrow. He’ll be ready for Game 3.”

“Game 3” referred to the penultimate game of the Red Sox’s season-opening series against the Rangers. New ace Garret Crochet and 2024 All-Star Tanner Houck will start the first two games of the set, respectively, before Buehler makes his Boston debut at Globe Life Field.