BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox received another discouraging update on ace left-hander Garrett Crochet ahead of Saturday’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, with interim manager Chad Tracy confirming that the pitcher has yet to resume throwing from the mound during his recovery from left shoulder inflammation.
According to Tim Healy of The Boston Globe, Crochet has made incremental progress by playing catch from distances beyond 100 feet. However, Tracy was blunt about the situation: Crochet’s return to the rotation remains “not imminent” without any mound work completed. The development adds a layer of uncertainty to a Red Sox pitching staff already shouldering significant pressure.
Timeline Slipping Past Initial Expectations
When the Red Sox placed Crochet on the 15-day injured list on April 29 (retroactive to April 26), the 26-year-old expressed measured optimism. He indicated confidence in returning after the minimum stint, describing the move as a proactive step to manage fatigue rather than address a serious structural issue.
An MRI conducted on May 1 delivered positive news, revealing only the expected inflammation with no structural damage. At that time, Crochet had not yet begun throwing, but the clean imaging offered hope for a relatively swift recovery. Ten days later, however, momentum has stalled. As of Saturday morning, Crochet remains limited to long-distance catch, with no sessions on the mound in sight.
This slower-than-expected progression represents a concerning shift from the original outlook and comes at a critical juncture for Boston’s season.
Rotation Under Pressure as Red Sox Push Forward
The absence of Crochet looms large over a Red Sox team that has shown signs of life under Tracy, who assumed interim duties following Alex Cora’s dismissal on April 25. Boston entered the Rays series with a 7-5 record under Tracy, a notable turnaround from their sluggish 12-19 start to the season.
On Friday night, Connelly Early delivered a standout shutout performance against Tampa Bay, providing a much-needed boost to the rotation. Yet Early, Brayan Bello, and Ranger Suarez cannot be expected to carry the full load indefinitely. The Red Sox are now navigating a waiting game with no firm timeline for their former ace’s return.
Crochet’s early 2026 season has been uncharacteristically rocky. In six starts before landing on the IL, he posted a 6.30 ERA — a stark contrast to his breakout 2025 campaign, when he went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA, led the American League in innings pitched (205 1/3), and finished as runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award behind Detroit’s Tarik Skubal.
Signs of fatigue appeared in his final outings prior to the IL placement, with observers noting dips in velocity and changes in arm angle. Those red flags ultimately prompted the precautionary move.
For now, Tracy and the Red Sox must manage the rotation’s workload without their top arm. While the club has stabilized in recent weeks, Crochet’s prolonged absence could test the depth and resilience of a pitching staff looking to climb the American League East standings.
The organization will continue monitoring Crochet’s progression closely, hoping the next steps in his throwing program arrive sooner rather than later. Until then, the Red Sox are left to navigate the immediate future with cautious optimism and increased reliance on the rest of their starters.
