Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet says lat strain ‘is a lot worse than what we thought’
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Sidelined Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet said Wednesday that the lat strain that has kept him off the mound in recent weeks “is a lot worse than what we thought.”
The lefthander has not appeared in a major league game since April 25 because of what was described at the time as shoulder fatigue.
He pitched a simulated inning at Fenway Park on May 26, but was shut down a few days later with what the team said was a mild lat strain.
“I have no idea,” Crochet said when asked when he could be cleared to play catch.
Crochet was 3-3 with an uncharacteristic 6.30 earned run average after six starts when he was placed on the injured list on April 29. Six weeks later, he is not close to returning to the roster.
Interim manager Chad Tracy said Crochet would be tested again later this week to determine how the strain is healing.
Once he is cleared to throw, assuming that does happen, Crochet will essentially need to start his season over.
A typical return would be progressing from playing catch to long toss, pitching in the bullpen, facing hitters, and then pitching in minor league games.
At best, that would bring Crochet back around the All-Star break. But that could be optimistic.
Outfielder Roman Anthony, who did not travel with the team, is not yet swinging a bat pain-free as he recovers from a sprained wrist that occurred on May 4.
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According to Tracy, the Sox are waiting for Anthony to get to a point where he can swing without discomfort.
Well-rested closer
Another day, another day off for Aroldis Chapman.
The closer did not pitch in Wednesday’s 7-5 loss against the Rays. He has pitched twice in the last 21 days.
Chapman warmed up during the top of the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 4-3 loss in the event the Sox tied the game. When they failed to score, Chapman kept pitching to get some work in.
As postgame music played and fans headed to the exits, Chapman continued to throw pitches. His goal was to stay sharp and see how his left leg felt. The lefthander has been dealing with a hamstring strain.
“I was already up, and I was throwing, so I wanted to throw a little bit more to get my work and also to test my leg,” Chapman said via a translator. “Everything felt good.”
Chapman has pitched only 19⅔ innings this season. He has not allowed a run since April 4, and has converted all 13 of his save chances.
One bright side: Chapman’s lack of innings could increase his value on the trade market if the Sox elect to become sellers.
Bedtime story
Infielder Marcelo Mayer did not play because of how he slept. “Woke up with some back and neck spasms,” Tracy said … Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, and Connelly Early are lined up to face the Rangers at Fenway Park in the series that starts on Friday … Patrick Sandoval is scheduled to start for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader at Rochester. The plan is for him to pitch two innings as he builds arm strength. Sandoval has not appeared in a major league game since undergoing internal brace surgery in 2024 while a member of the Angels. The Sox signed the 29-year-old lefthander to a two-year, $18.25 million contract in December 2024, believing he would return to pitch in 2025. Sandoval has had a series of setbacks since. Brayan Bello is scheduled to pitch the second game. That would be the righthander’s first start since his demotion to Triple A … Lefthanded reliever Alec Gamboa was optioned to Worcester to open a roster spot for lefthander Jake Bennett, who started Wednesday’s game. Gamboa picked up two outs in the ninth inning of Monday’s 3-1 loss against the Rays … The Sox are 6-14 against American League East opponents.
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