Red Sox Executive Downplays Concerns Over Garrett Crochet’s Lat Strain

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has offered a more optimistic outlook on left-hander Garrett Crochet’s lat strain, directly refuting recent reports that suggested the injury was more severe than initially believed.

“As far as I know there is nothing new and Garrett is making good progress on the lat strain,” Breslow told MLB.com’s Ian Browne. This statement comes in contrast to a report from Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, which indicated that Crochet “has no idea” when he will be cleared to throw again and that the injury is “a lot worse than what we thought.”

Por que importa

Crochet has been on the injured list since April 29, initially due to left shoulder inflammation. A setback in his rehabilitation process at the end of May, occurring just two days after he faced hitters for the first time since being placed on the IL, led to further evaluation. Imaging at that time revealed what interim manager Chad Tracy described as a “very low-grade” lat strain.

The promising young pitcher has not thrown a baseball for two weeks following this latest setback. The Red Sox organization plans to conduct another check-up, including additional testing, over the next few days as the team returns to Fenway Park. The goal is to determine if Crochet is asymptomatic and can resume throwing.

Contexto

“We’re still doing good with Crochet progressing,” Tracy stated before Wednesday’s game against the Rays. “I think in the next couple of days, he’ll probably have another testing day with medical and see if we’re [asymptomatic] so we can go see if he can get out there and [throw].”

The absence of Crochet has been felt by the Red Sox’s pitching staff. Entering play on Wednesday, Boston’s starting pitchers had collectively posted a 4.08 ERA since Crochet first went on the injured list. This ERA ranks 15th best in Major League Baseball. The Red Sox had projected one of the league’s strongest rotations entering the season, and Crochet was expected to be a key anchor for the unit as the team aims to contend for a postseason spot.

While Crochet’s ERA was 6.30 through his first six starts of the season before landing on the IL, his potential is undeniable. He is just one year removed from a stellar 2023 campaign, where he finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting. In his first season with Boston last year, Crochet compiled an impressive 18-5 record with a 2.59 ERA, striking out 255 batters over 205 1/3 innings.

Key facts
| Information | Detail |
|—|—|
| Player | Garrett Crochet |
| Injury | Lat strain |
| Latest Official Update | Making “good progress,” according to Craig Breslow |
| Previous Report | Injury “a lot worse than what we thought,” per Pete Abraham |
| Last Threw | Two weeks ago |
| Next Steps | Further medical testing at Fenway Park |

The health of Garrett Crochet is a significant factor for the Boston Red Sox’s aspirations this season. His ability to return to the mound and contribute to the rotation could be crucial in their efforts to climb the standings and compete for a playoff berth. Breslow’s comments provide a measure of reassurance to fans and the organization, suggesting that the setback may not be as detrimental as some reports indicated.

Source: MLB Official News RSS – https://www.mlb.com/news/garrett-crochet-update-on-lat-injury

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