Morning Sports Update
“We’ll see what the future holds for me.”
Sonny Gray pitching for the Red Sox in August. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
September 11, 2026 | 11:59 AM
3 minutes to read
Sonny Gray’s thoughts on his career season, possible Red Sox future: Now in his 14th season as a Major League pitcher, Sonny Gray has already gone past what he thought would be his baseball career.
In a recent interview with Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the 36-year-old Boston ace — Gray is in the midst of a career year at 17-4 with a 2.69 ERA — said that he only expected to play for 10 years, but acknowledged that his thought process has changed since he “just got better and better.”
The other reason for his altered expectations is a natural longevity and durability that he’s shown, having logged more than 2,000 innings without the need of Tommy John Surgery. Gray walked Speier through factors that have added to his success (including his routine, his discipline, and his creative approach to pitching).
“Sometimes I can throw it slower,” Gray explained, eschewing the modern trend in baseball to chase velocity. “I can throw a batting practice fastball at 89 when normally it’s been 92, or a cutter at 86 or 85, and get [hitters] a little more out in front.”
Despite his long career, Gray is new to Boston in 2026. Though he was almost drafted by the Red Sox in 2011 (he was a first-round pick by the Athletics), Gray journeyed around five teams before being traded from the Cardinals to Boston in late 2025.
Looking at his future, Gray plainly admitted that should his family make it clear they want him back around full-time, he’d be “done in a heartbeat” with baseball.
“We’ll see what the future holds for me,” he concluded with Speier. “But if this is it, no better way to go out and try to do something special here the next couple months.”
Gray is set to start on Friday night in the series opener at Fenway Park against the Royals (vs. Seth Lugo) at 7:10 p.m.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox begin a three-game series against the Royals this evening at Fenway Park starting at 7:10 p.m.
Tonight, Boston College football hosts Rutgers in the annual “Red Bandana Game” at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Legacy FC face the Washington Spirit on the road at 1 p.m.
Also on Sunday, the Revolution are away at the Chicago Fire at 5:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
NFL in Australia: The second game of the NFL season was played in front of more than 100,00 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The 49ers dominated the Rams in the end, 27-7.
This is what it looks like in Melbourne for the 49ers vs. Rams.
Over 100,000 fans inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
AMAZING!
LIVE now on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/G1W5lgW8tw
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) September 11, 2026
On this day: In 1918, the Red Sox defeated the Cubs 2-1 in Game 6 of the World Series to clinch the championship. The Fall Classic was staged far earlier than usual in 1918 due to U.S. involvement in World War I. Aside from the title being Boston’s last on the diamond until 2004, the game was notable for the usage of carrier pigeons who relayed inning-by-inning updates from Boston to Fort Devens more than 50 miles away.
Daily highlight: Miami’s Malachi Toney made an astounding catch in the Hurricanes’ 77-7 win over Florida A&M on Thursday.
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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