The Red Sox have already started getting pieces back, and now Garrett Crochet is giving Boston another real reason to think this late-season push can get even stronger.
Roman Anthony and Trevor Story both returned over the last few days and wasted no time making an impact. Anthony opened his first two games back by going 4-for-8 with two doubles, a triple, a walk and two runs scored.
Story matched that kind of jolt with a 4-for-8 stretch of his own, adding two doubles and three RBIs. His latest contribution came in dramatic fashion, when he delivered a walk-off single Monday night against the Seattle Mariners.
Garrett Crochet, though, is the next name Red Sox fans are watching closely. He hasn’t pitched for Boston since April 25, but Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reported Monday that Crochet has advanced to playing catch off the mound, which marks the next step after throwing on flat ground.
“Garrett Crochet has begun playing catch off the mound, the next stage of progression after throwing off flat ground,” Cerullo wrote.
That doesn’t mean he’s ready for immediate game action, but it does show he’s moving forward.
Crochet has already made clear that if he does come back, it will be in relief. Earlier in the month, he said that would be a “million percent” the role, and he told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com that he thinks two innings is about the most he could build up to.
“What could I build up to, max? Probably two innings, just looking at the schedule based on when I started throwing and being smart about it,” Crochet said.
Boston’s run since the end of June has already been impressive, and the team has done it without being anywhere close to full strength. Anthony and Story are back.
Crochet is getting closer. Willson Contreras is still on the Injured List, though the source says he’s going to be alright.
The Red Sox are 75-63, and the roster could still look different by the time October arrives.
That’s where Crochet becomes especially interesting. Boston already has the best bullpen in baseball, but if he’s able to return, someone will have to come out.
Alec Gamboa looks like the most likely candidate in that scenario. And if the Red Sox can get the version of Crochet who posted a 2.84 ERA in 54 relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox in 2021, they’ll have another dangerous arm for the stretch run.
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