In January, the Boston Red Sox inked a one-year agreement with right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito that includes a player option for 2025 with a maximum value of $38.5 million. Giolito participated in 33 games last season while playing for three different teams. Following a trade from the Chicago White Sox to the Los Angeles Angels near the trade deadline last summer, he was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Guardians.
Giolito opted for a short-term contract to demonstrate his capabilities and competitiveness in Boston. Simultaneously, the Red Sox aimed to secure a cost-effective option to stabilize their youthful starting pitching rotation. However, both parties now face uncertainty following the latest developments from the Red Sox’s camp.
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
Giolito Suffers UCL Tear
According to a tweet from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Giolito has a partial tear in his UCL along with a flexor strain, as revealed in imaging conducted by the Red Sox medical team. If confirmed, Giolito may be sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 season.
This presents the worst-case scenario for the Red Sox, who are in dire need of starting pitching just like many other teams in the league. It’s likely that they are considering reaching out to Scott Boras to discuss potential options like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. Remaining passive and relying on luck is not a viable strategy at this point.
If the Red Sox fail to strengthen their starting rotation following the blow of losing Giolito, they will likely struggle in the AL East for the third consecutive year. There are still numerous starting pitching options available in free agency. If they aim to compete in 2024, they must take immediate action.
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