Worcester Red Sox Opening Day 2026 video
The Worcester Red Sox began their sixth season in the Canal District on March 27, 2026.
WORCESTER — Jake Bennett was sitting on his couch at his new apartment on March 24 when the 25-year-old pitcher learned he’d be the Opening Day starter for Triple-A Worcester three days later.
“(The club) sent the schedule out, and I saw my name on it and that’s how I found out,” Bennett told the T&G on Thursday. “Super excited. It’s a big honor. I’m super grateful for the opportunity. Trying to take the game one pitch at a time and attack hitters and fill it up.”
On Friday afternoon, that’s exactly what Bennett did.
The 6-foot-6 left-hander, who was acquired by the Boston Red Sox in an offseason trade with the Nationals, was impressive in his organizational debut. Bennett allowed two hits, one run and struck out five batters across three-plus innings in the WooSox’ 3-1 loss to the Syracuse Mets at Polar Park.
The ‘Rocket’ lands in Worcester
Despite the loss, Friday represented the return of professional baseball to the Canal District with the WooSox beginning their sixth season in Worcester.
The Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox rolled out the red carpet for Red Sox Hall of Famer Roger “Rocket” Clemens, who tossed out the ceremonial first pitch to his former Boston batterymate, Rich Gedman.
“Happy, happy Opening Day to you all,” said Clemens to the fans before his first pitch. “(Gedman’s) going to catch this pitch, but I want y’all to know one thing — this man made me look so good (for) 13 years in Boston, I’m just going to tell you right now.”
Clemens pitched in the major leagues for 24 years, winning seven Cy Young Awards. He pitched for Boston (1984-1996), Toronto (1997-98), the Yankees (1999-2003 & 2007) and Houston (2004-06), and amassed 354 wins (ninth-most in MLB history) and 4,672 strikeouts (third-most all-time) in 709 games.
He is the only pitcher in MLB history to record over 350 wins and strike out over 4,500 batters.
Nicknamed the “Rocket,” Clemens burst onto the Boston scene on April 29, 1986, when he became the first pitcher in history to strike out 20 batters in a nine-inning game when he beat Seattle at Fenway Park. His catcher that day was fellow Red Sox Hall of Famer and current WooSox hitting advisor, Rich Gedman.
“(Gedman) wondered why I couldn’t strike out 27,” Clemens said before his pregame pitch. “I don’t know what he’s talking about. (But) thank you all for having me, it’s a beautiful day and let’s do this.”
Mets beat WooSox in 2026 opener
While old Red Sox pitcher (Clemens) kicked off the on-mound festivities Friday, it was one of the newer pitchers in the Red Sox organization (Bennett) who impressed the most during the home opener.
Selected by Washington in the second round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Bennett was acquired in a trade (for right-handed pitcher Luis Perales) with Washington on Dec. 15, 2025.
In the Nationals’ system last year, the lefty pitcher posted a 2.27 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 19 games (18 starts) across three levels. Bennett is currently listed as the Red Sox’ No. 7th-ranked prospects by MLB.com.
Though Bennett and Clemens performed well on the mound for the home team Friday, so did the visiting pitching staff.
Jonah Tong, who was named Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year by MLB Pipeline last season, pitched four innings for the Mets and allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out four WooSox.
Worcester mustered just five hits and struck out 10 times in its 3-1 loss in front of 8,147 people in attendance.
The WooSox return to the field on Saturday (4:05 p.m.) and Sunday (1:05 p.m.) with Tyler Uberstine (Saturday) and Payton Tolle (Sunday) scheduled to start on the mound.
—Contact Tommy Cassell at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
