Lucas Giolito’s first season as a member of the Red Sox may be over before it starts.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Giolito has a partially torn UCL and flexor strain that may require surgery, potentially sidelining the right-hander for the entire 2024 season and beyond.
Brutal news: Initial imaging showed Boston Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito likely has a partially torn UCL and flexor strain and could miss the 2024 season, league sources tell ESPN. Giolito, who signed a two-year deal with Boston, may need surgery to repair the right-elbow damage.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 5, 2024
Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Tuesday that Giolito felt some discomfort in his elbow following his last start and that the club was concerned. Cora said Giolito was doubtful for Opening Day, and now it’s unclear when he’ll be able to pitch at all.
The news is a devastating blow for the Red Sox, who were counting on Giolito to anchor the starting rotation. Signed to a two-year, $38.5 million contract this past offseason, the 29-year-old has been among the most durable starters in baseball over the past six years and is coming off a 2023 season in which he made 33 starts while throwing a career-high 184.1 innings.
Now the Red Sox will once again be counting on the same group of young arms who largely couldn’t consistently pitch deep into games last season. Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta were both already locked into the rotation, and Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski will be competing for the remaining three spots.