Boston Red Sox Ace Reaches Another Checkpoint in Return from Injury
The 2025 Cy Young Award runner-up is closer to a return from a shoulder injury that has kept him out for three weeks.
Ahead of the Boston Red Sox series finale in Kansas City on Wednesday, ace Garrett Crochet took the latest step as he works his way back from the left shoulder inflammation that has kept him out of action for the last three weeks. Crochet made the first step in his rehab , throwing a bullpen for the first time since landing on the injured list ahead of the Red Sox win over the Phillies last Tuesday night. On Wednesday, he took the next step in his recovery, throwing two up-and-down innings in the visitors' bullpen of Kauffman Stadium.
According to the Boston Globe's Alex Speier , Crochet was not happy with his mechanics, but said his shoulder felt strong. He'll throw another bullpen in the coming days before progressing to live bullpens next week. Per Speier, he will need multiple outings against live batters, possibly including a rehab appearance.
Garrett Crochet headed out to throw pic. twitter. com/SmfU0Uv6jF — Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) May 20, 2026 Crochet was surprisingly placed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation on April 29 after what was arguably his best start of the season , as he tossed six shutout innings in the Red Sox' 17-1 beatdown of the Baltimore Orioles on April 25.
The 26-year-old lefty got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, posting a 6. 30 ERA in 30 innings of work across six starts, including the worst start of his major league career against the Minnesota Twins . Today’s Thread of Great Pitching Performances Garrett Crochet vs Baltimore Orioles 6.