Garrett Crochet’s Shoulder Saga and Its Playoff Implications

Garrett Crochet, the Boston Red Sox’s left-handed starter, has been sidelined since April with left-shoulder inflammation that has progressed to a rotator-cuff issue. After an initial “fatigue” diagnosis, the injury required the Red Sox to halt his plyometric-ball program in early July so he could focus on strengthening the rotator cuff. The team estimates that once cleared to throw, Crochet will need a six-week ramp-up comparable to a spring-training regimen before he could be game-ready. Starting the ramp-up now would push a realistic return to early September, making an October (playoff) appearance the only viable target.

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Crochet’s shoulder concerns are not new. He dealt with a capsule injury in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, prompting a cautious approach this season. In late April he reported “just some fatigue,” expecting only a few weeks off. By late May a related lat issue emerged, which he downplayed as not warranting a formal setback label. Over the subsequent two months, progress stalled, leading to the current focus on rotator-cuff strengthening.

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• Injury duration: Approximately three months into the left-shoulder saga, with the 120-day injured-list threshold approaching in late August.

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• Rehabilitation timeline: Six weeks of ramp-up once cleared to throw, translating to a potential early-September return if the process begins immediately.

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• 2024 performance (pre-injury): Six starts in April produced a 6.30 ERA; his season ERA before the injury was reported as 2.0.

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• Contract clause: The six-year, $170 million deal includes a provision that erases Crochet’s 2030 opt-out right if he spends 120 consecutive days on the injured list for an arm issue; the team would instead receive a $15 million option for 2032.

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Crochet described his approach as “goal-driven,” saying a clear deadline motivates him to meet recovery targets. He acknowledged the difficulty of “reverse-engineering” a schedule after a setback and expressed uncertainty about his readiness for a playoff debut, noting concerns about confidence after a five-month layoff. He also highlighted the contractual risk, noting that the clause protecting the team mitigates the financial impact of a prolonged absence.

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• “We’re trying to kind of, I suppose, reverse-engineer it,” — Garrett Crochet

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• “It sucks, but I mean, what’s the worst thing that happens? I’m in Boston for another year? Which is pretty good. This is a place that I wanted to be,” — Garrett Crochet

Boston Globe

The Red Sox have not set a definitive timeline for Crochet’s clearance, but the consensus among staff and the pitcher himself is that a return before the regular season’s end is unlikely. If the ramp-up begins in early August, the six-week preparation would extend into September, leaving only the postseason as a realistic window. Crochet’s own comments indicate that “playing it by ear” remains the current strategy, and the team will continue to assess his shoulder strength and game readiness as the season progresses.

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