It was supposed to be just another midsummer matchup at Fenway. But by the time the second inning rolled around, the game’s flow had changed significantly. Hunter Dobbins, the up-and-coming right-handed pitcher for the Red Sox, abruptly stumbled while heading to first base. There were no collisions or dramatic falls; a slight grimace and a gentle hobble, towards the exit that said more than any scoreboard ever could. Soon after, the harsh reality of the situation sank in deep.

For a team chasing momentum in the second half, the timing couldn’t be worse. Dobbins had been a bright spot in an injury-riddled rotation, offering consistency and poise in his rookie campaign. The 25-year-old wasn’t just filling innings; he was helping Boston stay afloat. So when reports emerged that the injury could involve a torn ACL, fans were left reeling. Suddenly, the Sox weren’t just managing innings; they were scrambling for answers.

“The initial belief is Hunter Dobbins suffered a significant knee injury last night, potentially with ACL damage,” tweeted MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “Red Sox are still assessing the severity, but the initial read is that this is no minor injury.”

It’s a gut punch for Dobbins, for the clubhouse, and for a fanbase that had started to believe again. With a 4–1 record and an ERA just above 4.10, Dobbins was carving out his role in the majors. He had earned that mound. Now, he’ll likely be watching from the dugout or, worse, rehabbing from a second ACL tear in his young career. He’s been here before, in high school, and he recognized the pain immediately. That familiarity only makes it harder.

The ripple effects are already being felt. Boston recalled right-hander Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester, but he’s still green. With Kutter Crawford already out for the season and other starters battling fatigue, the Red Sox could be forced into the trade market. That’s sparked early speculation, some playful, some serious about potential replacements, including a viral fan pitch for Dodgers righty Dustin May.

But jokes aside, this is a moment of reckoning for the Red Sox. They’ve won eight straight games, they’re in the playoff race, and now they’re missing a key arm. How they respond, whether with trust in youth or a bold trade, will say a lot about how seriously they’re chasing October. For now, one thing’s clear: the Dobbins injury isn’t just a setback. It’s a storyline that could reshape Boston’s season. In the meantime, let’s hear what the fans have to say.

“Not again…”: Red Sox fans react with frustration and sympathy

The news of Hunter Dobbins’ potential season-ending injury didn’t just hit the clubhouse; it sent shockwaves through Red Sox Nation, as one fan wrote, “Uhh, that’s awful. Also, this is why having pitching depth is so important.” When the Red Sox began the season, they had 10 potential starters: Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, Garrett Whitlock, Quinn Priester, Richard Fitts, and Hunter Dobbins.

But as the season unfolded, it became apparent that 10 potential starters were still not enough depth. Whitlock had moved to the bullpen, Priester was traded, and every other pitcher except Crochet spent time on the injury list. And with Dobbins’ recent addition, things are looking scary. But that is not the only concern.

Another fan wrote, “Is there something different about first base at Fenway vs other stadiums? That’s Dobbins, Casas, and Bregman all taken out by that same bag this season.” Why does first base at Fenway suddenly feel cursed? Back in May, in the bottom of the second inning, Triston Casas stumbled across the first-base bag after hitting an infielder’s tapper. The first baseman then suffered a left patellar tendon rupture in his knee. Even Alex Bregman suffered a painful fate at Fenway Park.

The third baseman was removed in the fifth inning of the Baltimore Orioles with right quad tightness. The 31-year-old singled sharply to left field and made a wide turn before retreating to the first-base bag. He then signalled to the dugout, which had manager Alex Cora sprinting to check on the status of the injury. Despite him being removed from the game, the team bagged a 19-5 win. And now Dobbins’ injury adds further weight to the already struggling clubhouse.

Another fan wrote, “That is sad if true. It’s amazing how often serious injuries don’t look that bad in the moment.” There was no dramatic collision, no violent fall when Hunter Dobbins pulled up at first base. Just a slight stumble, a grimace, and a slow walk off the field. Beneath the composed demeanor lies a truth, a right ACL officially announced by the team’s officials.

And with that announcement, the fans are sending their wishes across to the 25-year-old. “Damn. Hoping that he gets well soon, but it looks like we’re hoping that Fitts or Houck find some form, or we go out and get a SP (although we should’ve been doing that anyway),” said another fan. It leaves the team hoping Richard Fitts finds another gear or that Tanner Houck rediscovers some consistency, both big asks in the middle of a playoff push. And we have already seen how Houck has struggled with command issues throughout spring training and continued to falter during the season. In two separate starts, he recorded a total of seven outs while allowing 11 earned runs.

Further, he has been on the IL since May 14 with a flexor pronator strain and has been rehabbing in the minors and is not expected to return to the Red Sox at least until after the All-Star break. Fitts, on the other hand, has come full circle. On July 7, he was transferred to Triple-A Worcester to make room for Dobbins, but he is now called in to fill in the spot. In his outings for Boston, the 25-year-old has a 1-3 record in eight games, with a 4.28 ERA and 1.218 WHIP in 33.2 innings. While this is largely the hope, a fan speculates something else.

As they wrote, “Here comes the potential trade replacement.” Whether it’s a rental or a controllable arm, the urgency is no longer about depth; it’s about survival. In the end, the Red Sox Nation will be wishing for his recovery while also keeping an eye on how the team performs without him in the lineup. Because seasons are defined by how you handle setbacks, and Boston just got a major one.