Lucas Giolito avoids Tommy John surgery, could be ready for Opening Day 2025
Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito avoided Tommy John surgery and instead underwent an internal brace procedure on his partially torn ligament in his right elbow, the club announced.
There is no timetable for Giolito’s return, it’s highly unlikely he will pitch in 2024.
Giolito underwent a “successful right elbow ulnar collateral ligament repair with internal brace,” which is an alternative, and less serious outcome than the Tommy John procedure, which is a full reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).
The lesser surgery was the best case scenario and depending on his rehab and health, could make the righty ready for Opening Day next season.
Trevor Story had a similar surgery to Giolito in Jan. 2023 and played in a regular season game on Aug. 8, totaling a seven-month recovery for the shortstop.
Alex Cora was asked by reporters on Wednesday if his starter will be ready for Opening Day. The skipper would not commit to a timetable for Giolito.
“Obviously, I don’t want to go into details. We don’t know how the rehab is going to go,” said Cora. “The hope is for him to be ready whenever he’s ready. But seeing what has happened with the procedure in the past, he’s going to be able to go out there and throw his changeup and his good fastball and help the Red Sox win some more games.”
With Giolito out for the season, the Red Sox have not added any external pitching options. The club is relying on Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford. Righties Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski and Cooper Criswell are battling it out for the final two rotation spots.
