Garrett Crochet has been diagnosed with a low-grade lat strain, Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told the Boston beat after tonight’s loss to Baltimore (relayed by Christopher Smith of MassLive). Last year’s AL Cy Young runner-up went for an MRI after reporting lingering shoulder tightness over the weekend.
A low-grade strain is relatively encouraging news all things considered, though it’ll obviously delay Crochet’s return to action. Tracy said he’ll resume a throwing program once he’s asymptomatic. The two-time All-Star has been out of action since April 26 due to shoulder inflammation. He has been limited to six starts on the season and carries a 6.30 ERA, mostly due to a nightmare outing against the Twins on April 13.
Crochet has been on the 15-day injured list but stands as a candidate for a 60-day IL transfer if the Sox need a 40-man roster spot. That’d backdate to his original IL date, so 38 days have already elapsed. It’s unlikely he’ll be ready for MLB action within the next three weeks even if this proves a brief shutdown.
The Sox have five starters on the injured list. Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval all began the season on the IL; Johan Oviedo joined them there after one appearance. Tracy told reporters (including Gabrielle Starr of The Boston Herald) that Sandoval will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester this week. Crawford, meanwhile, is being pulled back slightly after yet another bout of forearm tightness. Neither player has pitched in an MLB game since 2024, with Sandoval still awaiting his team debut.
Meanwhile, shortstop Trevor Story discussed his rehab process from last week’s sports hernia surgery with Ian Browne of MLB.com. The veteran infielder floated an 8-12 week recovery timeline, a little longer than the initial 6-10 week estimate. Marcelo Mayer has moved to shortstop since the injury, leaving second base to utility types Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Sogard.