Garrett Crochet’s return is moving from theory to something a lot more concrete for the Red Sox.
On Wednesday, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the left-hander is expected to throw his first official bullpen session on Friday, a notable step as he works toward a possible late-season comeback, according to The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey on X.
"A big step for Garrett Crochet: On Friday he is throwing his first bullpen session, per Chad Tracy," Healey wrote.
Crochet has already been throwing and had progressed to playing catch off a mound, so the next bullpen is a real checkpoint in the process. If he does make it back this season, the expectation is that he would do so out of the bullpen.
That route would still require more boxes to be checked. After the bullpen work, Crochet would likely need to face live hitters and then go on a rehab assignment before being considered for game action.
The calendar adds another layer here. Boston’s regular season ends on Sep. 27, while Triple-A Worcester wraps up on Sep. 20, leaving a narrow window to get Crochet back into a game before the minor league season closes. Crochet has not pitched in a game since April 25, and it would be a surprise to see him return to the majors without at least one minor league outing.
If Friday goes well, the next couple of weeks should bring a steady drip of updates on his status. For now, the focus is on that bullpen session and what it means for the rest of the month.
Boston’s bullpen has been one of the best in baseball for most of the year, though its ERA is now second at 3.16 after a rough stretch against the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. Even so, it remains a strength. If Crochet comes back looking like himself, it only gets stronger.
After a long stretch of waiting, the Red Sox finally have a tangible step to point to. Friday is the one to watch.
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