Lucas Giolito ‘could miss’ 2024 season following elbow injury
Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito felt discomfort and soreness in his right elbow after his last spring training start and will not be ready for Opening Day.
Giolito’s injury is feared to be much worse than a simple delay to the beginning of the season. He may miss the entire 2024 season.
“Obviously concerned about it,” Alex Cora said. “It’s not a good day for us.”
ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted on X, ““Brutal news: Initial imaging showed Boston Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito likely has a partially torn UCL and flexor strain and could miss the 2024 season, league sources tell ESPN. Giolito, who signed a two-year deal with Boston, may need surgery to repair the right-elbow damage.
Cora told reporters that Giolito will seek a second opinion and will undergo more testing from doctors.
The Red Sox only major free agent acquisition this offseason made two Grapefruit League starts this spring. His last start came on Friday where he allowed four earned runs off two hits while allowing three walks and struck out one batter over 2 1/3 innings.
It goes without saying losing Giolito is a massive blow to the Red Sox. The 29-year-old signed a two-year, $38.5 million deal over the winter. He was expected to help anchor down the rotation that saw Chris Sale and James Paxton depart. Giolito is coming off a down 2023 campaign where he was both traded and designated for assignment. He made 33 starts and posted a 4.88 ERA with the White Sox, Angels and Guardians.
In his limited time with the Red Sox, Giolito had spoke highly about working under new pitching coach Andrew Bailey. This spring the righty had been throwing harder and was developing a new slider.
One of Giolito’s strong points over his career has been durability. He has made 94 starts over the past three seasons. Depending ultimately on what his diagnosis becomes, the Red Sox will need to fill his spot in the rotation. Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock could be locks for the rotation while the likes of Josh Winckowski and Cooper Criswell are possibilities.
