The Red Sox got a much-needed dose of optimism Friday, and it came from a mound at Fenway Park.
Garrett Crochet threw about 25 pitches before Boston opened its weekend series against the Kansas City Royals, his third bullpen session in roughly a week. The left-hander said he was operating at about 80% to 90% intensity, and this time there was an important wrinkle: he mixed in his sweeper for the first time since restarting his throwing program.
Crochet said he worked at game speed, felt good with every pitch and believes he is still trending in the right direction, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne.
That matters because Crochet hasn’t pitched in a game since tossing six scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles on April 25. Boston put him on the injured list four days later because of left shoulder inflammation, and a low-grade lat strain in May slowed everything down even more after he tried to push his recovery during a live batting practice session.
The Red Sox moved the 27-year-old to the 60-day injured list in June. He didn’t get back on a mound until Sept. 4, when he threw 16 pitches in his first bullpen session in more than three months. Friday’s heavier workload, along with the return of the sweeper, was another clear step forward.
One piece is still missing: the changeup, the only major part of Crochet’s arsenal he has not yet brought back. And with just two weeks left in the regular season, there isn’t enough time for him to build the kind of workload a normal starter would need. That doesn’t necessarily close the door on his season, though.
Boston has kept the possibility of using Crochet in relief on the table if he gets all the way back to full health. Manager Chad Tracy has already said the club would have to think seriously about that route if Crochet starts looking like himself again on the mound.
There’s a timeline to watch, too. Crochet is aiming for live batting practice during the final week of the regular season, when the Red Sox host the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs.
A standard rehab assignment looks tougher by the day, with the Triple-A season ending Sept. 20.
Coming straight to the majors without a rehab game would be unusual, but Crochet’s bullpen background gives Boston at least some flexibility since he wouldn’t need to be stretched out for long outings.
The Red Sox didn’t sign Crochet to a six-year, $170 million extension with a relief role in mind. Still, if that’s the path that gets him back on the field in October, even a handful of high-leverage innings could loom large.
For now, Boston still needs more boxes checked. Crochet has to face hitters, bounce back well between sessions and stay clear of any new setback. Friday didn’t seal his return, but it did keep one of the Red Sox’s most interesting October possibilities alive.
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