It seems like history is repeating itself for Lucas Giolito. The pitcher had just recovered from a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament and is again facing injury this spring. Giolito lost the entire last year, and this year too, things aren’t exactly looking up. For the Red Sox, after losing Brayan Bello to injury, it’s time for Giolito to walk the same path; so, how can the team deal with the loss this year? Is their pitching depth capable enough to make up for it?
The one-year hope to get back Giolito this season got dashed with just one spring game. While Giolioto was projected to be in the fourth of the Red Sox’s starting rotation, the injury bug got back to haunt him. He exited Tuesday’s game against the Phillies after his first pitch. So, is he going to lose the year again? As per MLB insider Ian Browne, an MRI will be conducted on the veteran starter on Wednesday.
This will offer a better insight for experiencing stiffness in the left hamstring in Tuesday’s 18-8 loss to the Phillies. “Hopefully, it’s nothing major, and he can make his next start,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, while Gioito noted, “I’ve pulled my hamstring in my career a few times, and it feels very minor.” And while the injury seems like a minor setback, he is no longer available for the remaining spring games for the Red Sox.
Alex Cora said that Lucas Giolito will get an MRI tomorrow. He hopes to have more of an update on the situation by Thursday.
“Hopefully it’s nothing major and he can make his next start,” Cora said.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 11, 2025
While Giolito has joined Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford on the injured list, what’s left for the Red Sox? Who can take Giolito’s place if required?
How are the Red Sox equipped for 2025?
Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, and Walker Buehler are projected as the first three pitchers in the rotation. In the fourth, Quinn Priester or Richard Fitts can take the place of Giolito. They are both right-handers with some major league experience and impressive spring training performances so far. They could easily replace Giolito at the bottom of the rotation. For reference, Quinn Priester is one of the top prospects for the Red Sox, considering his ongoing spring training figure. He pitched in 6.2 innings this season and gave up 2 runs.
While the spring season is too short to evaluate a player, it does offer some hope for the team. However, the question that arises here is if these prospects are good enough to fill the shoes of Giolito. The reliability that a veteran like Giolito can offer is second to none, but the Red Sox’s starters’ figures in 2024 are a ray of hope for the team this year; they were ranked #7 in terms of ERA (3.81), #2 in terms of WHIP (1.19), and #4 in terms of BA (.236) last year. Hence, in 2025, the Red Sox might have one of the top rotations in MLB sans Lucas Giolito.
With the Red Sox already having gotten Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito injured in the ongoing spring season, it’s time to replenish their pitching depth, considering the long and grueling regular season ahead. Do you think Giolito’s injury will be too costly for the Red Sox? Share with us below.
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