The Boston Red Sox will likely be without pitcher Lucas Giolito — who signed a two-year, $38.5 million deal with the team this offseason — after he suffered a partially torn UCL and flexor strain, according to manager Alex Cora, The Athletic reports.
NEWS: Lucas Giolito ?likely has a partially torn UCL and flexor strain,? said Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
Boston's lone major offseason free-agent pitcher signee is in jeopardy of missing the season.
More ??https://t.co/prFcT2AMPQ pic.twitter.com/uiu5DvoX4T
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 5, 2024
"NEWS: Lucas Giolito 'likely has a partially torn UCL and flexor strain,' said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Boston's lone major offseason free-agent pitcher signee is in jeopardy of missing the season," The Athletic posted on X.
Giolito was considered to be the Red Sox's No. 1 acquisition this offseason. Last season, the Red Sox went 78-84 and finished 23 games back in the AL East.
In 2023, Giolito went 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA across 33 starts. He played for three teams that season: the Los Angeles Angels, the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians. He had 21 starts with the White Sox, six with the Angels and six with the Guardians. He threw 184.1 innings, had 204 strikeouts and walked 73 batters.
This season, Giolito, 29, was hoping for a resurgence with the Red Sox and pitching coach Andrew Bailey, developing a new slider this offseason.
So far in spring training, he had one outing with two hitless innings. But in his most recent appearance, he loaded the bases and had two walks; all three of the men left on base scored after he exited.
Giolito may have had a down year last season, but the Red Sox ironically were likely hoping to benefit from his durability. He's thrown 161.2 innings or more in the previous three seasons.
The Athletic also reports that the Red Sox have been linked to Jordan Montgomery, who remains a free agent, but it's unclear how this injury impacts their pursuit.
We'll watch to see who gets the remaining spots in the Red Sox rotation and what this injury means for Boston's interest in Montgomery.
