New Red Sox arm makes statement in debut with Clemens celebrating Worcester return.
With the Boston Red Sox (1-0) off on Friday, the Worcester Red Sox (1-0) had to help fill our baseball void.
The WooSox opened their season in classic New England fashion - cold air, bundled-up fans, and a ballpark that still felt like baseball had officially arrived.
And on the mound, Jake Bennett made sure the moment didn’t pass him by.
Just days after finding out he’d be the Opening Day starter - casually, by seeing his name on the schedule - the 25-year-old left-hander delivered a strong first impression in his organizational debut.
Bennett allowed just 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 5 over three-plus innings, showing exactly why Boston targeted him in an offseason trade.
For a pitcher making his first appearance in a new system, it was exactly the kind of outing you want to see.
Bennett attacked the zone early, worked efficiently, and showed the ability to miss bats without overcomplicating things. At 6-foot-6, he creates tough angles, and that combination of size and command was on full display.
Worcester’s Jake Bennett throws the first pitch of the 2026 season on Opening Day March 27 at Polar Park. (Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette/USA TODAY NETWORK/Imagn Images)More importantly, he looked comfortable - not like someone pressing in his debut, but like someone settling into a role he expects to own.
That matters in Worcester.
Because this isn’t just a Triple-A rotation spot.
It’s a proving ground.
And early signs suggest Bennett understands exactly what’s being asked of him:
Throw strikes, control the tempo, and force hitters to adjust.
The result?
A debut that stood out, even in a game Worcester ultimately dropped, 3-1.
There was also a fitting layer of history woven into the afternoon.
Before Bennett took the mound, Red Sox Hall of Famer Roger Clemens handled ceremonial first-pitch duties, tossing to former batterymate Rich Gedman - a longtime hitting coach for Boston at the Triple-A level.
It was a reminder of the organization’s pitching lineage, one that Bennett is now trying to carve his way into.
Different era, different stage, but the same job.
Take the ball. Attack hitters. Set the tone.
On a cold Opening Day in Worcester, Bennett did exactly that.
Former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens talks to the crowd, with his battery mate Rich Gedman, before throwing the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day March 27 at Polar Park. (Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette/USA TODAY NETWORK/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.