Garrett Crochet announces an update ahead of Red Sox-Royals matchup

Even without the help of their left-handed ace starting pitcher Garrett Crochet, the Boston Red Sox have held their own. They are currently 80-67, third place in the American League East and comfortably in the second Wild Card spot.

It has been well documented at this point that the team struggled out of the gate. Before their late June series at Fenway Park versus the New York Yankees, they were 32-46 and had the worst record in the American League.

All of the damage since has been done without Crochet. He pitched last on April 25 at the Baltimore Orioles, before being put on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation and a lat strain.

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Mar 26, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the third inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

When Crochet was healthy during March and April, he was able to make six starts with 30 innings pitched. The southpaw went 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA, striking out 37 batters and walking 11.

Crochet’s inflated ERA comes as a result mainly due to a blowup outing April 13 at the Minnesota Twins, where he surrendered 10 earned runs in 1 ⅔ innings pitched. His velocity was noticeably down during this outing compared to previous appearances.

The 27-year-old’s long injury rehab has now lasted into the final couple weeks of the regular season. He has not taken a big league mound in 139 days, and missed 120 of Boston’s games.

Entering their weekend series versus the Kansas City Royals, Crochet gave an update to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. He threw a bullpen on Friday, including his sweeper for the first time since he started throwing.

The bullpen was about 25 pitches, and at 80-90% of game speed for Crochet. He has said before that he will strictly be in a bullpen role upon his return, although could go multiple innings in the postseason if needed.

Though Crochet was not having a great year up until his injury, there should be no doubt that the ability is still there. Last season, he finished runner-up in AL Cy Young voting while pitching to a 2.59 ERA and 31.3% strikeout rate across 205 ⅓ innings.