*Photo from WCVB TV*
The season for this pitcher might be over before it begins. Boston Red Sox RHP Lucas Giolito is out indefinitely after imaging initially showed a possible partially torn UCL and flexor strain, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Should the testing confirm the injuries, surgery is on the table for Giolito that would keep him out for the entire season and part of 2025 if he ends up undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Giolito is set to receive a second opinion next week before deciding a path.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said that "I think this is tough for us and tough for Lucas. He's a guy that has taken a lot of pride in his ability to post and that was certainly something that was attractive to us. Obviously, don't want to kind of speak until we know exactly what we're dealing with. But I know he's frustrated, wants to take the ball on Opening Day, so we'll evaluate where we are and figure out what the best path forward is."
Giolito signed a one year deal worth $19 million with the Red Sox in the offseason that includes a player option for 2025 worth $19.5 million. He was set to be one of two veterans in the Red Sox rotation alongside Nick Pivetta as the Red Sox try to avoid their 3rd straight last place finish.
The elbow injury was revealed after Giolito's March 1 spring training start against the Minnesota Twins. He allowed 4 runs in 2 1/3 innings in the start and alerted manager Alex Cora and the team's medical staff to soreness in his elbow. Further tests done by the medical staff ensued and the team is still gathering information according to Cora.
Giolito said of the injury "Yeah, extremely disappointing. I've always prided myself on posting, staying healthy. You know, I've done everything in my power to do so. I haven't dealt with a serious injury in a very long time, so definitely sucks a lot."
With Giolito now out of the picture, options to take his spot in the rotation include offseason addition Cooper Criswell, Garrett Whitlock, and Josh Winckowski. Pivetta, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford are locks for rotation spots, with Tanner Houck likely having a solidified spot now as well.
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