The Opener Plan Is Real
Garrett Crochet might not throw a single rehab game before October. That is the crazy part of this story. The Red Sox ace has been out since late April with shoulder inflammation. He threw just 20 pitches in his latest session at Fenway Park. Yet, interim manager Chad Tracy says the plan to use him as an opener is solid. Tracy told Jen McCaffrey that Crochet would feel totally fine starting a game. “He’d have plenty of comfort opening if you wanted to go that route,” Tracy said on Tuesday. That quote changes everything for the playoff push.
This isn’t a wild guess by the front office. It is a calculated move based on Crochet’s history. He has been a starter for years, but he began his career in relief. The team knows he can handle high stress. Tracy noted that Crochet pitched out of the bullpen before. “So if you need him to come in the middle innings of a game, a two-inning pocket, I’m sure he’d have comfort doing that too,” Tracy said. The beauty of this plan is its flexibility. If Crochet looks healthy, the Red Sox can use him in different spots. They just need to see him check the boxes.
No Rehab Games Needed?
The timeline is tight. The Triple-A season ends on September 20. That leaves almost no time for a minor league tune-up. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, the Red Sox will limit Crochet to three innings upon his return. He might not even face live hitters in a game setting. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey says he wouldn’t put it past Crochet to skip the rehab games entirely. “It’s Garrett,” Bailey said. “He’s done amazing things in this league already.”
Crochet himself feels the same way. Tim Healey of The Boston Globe was informed that he feels ready to return without a warm-up game. “I’ve done crazy things before,” Crochet said. “I’m not Joe Schmoe.” He pointed to his 2020 debut with the White Sox. He pitched in just one college game that year before the pandemic shut things down. Then he debuted in September and went straight to the postseason. That history proves he can handle the pressure. The Red Sox are 80-66 right now. They need every edge they can get.
Using Crochet as an opener gives Boston a massive weapon. He finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting last season. Even with a rough start this year, his talent is undeniable. If he comes back healthy, he could shut down the best lineups in the league. The team is 80-66 with the postseason three weeks away. Every win counts.
The next step is clear. Crochet is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Friday or Saturday. After that, the Red Sox plan to move him toward facing live hitters. If he looks like himself, the opener role is on the table. This is a bold move, but it fits the moment. Consider a player with a career reliever ERA of 2.71. He knows how to get outs quickly. The Red Sox are ready to use him however it takes to win.
