The biggest surprise isn’t that Garrett Crochet might return to the mound this month. The shock is that the Red Sox are abandoning any hope of him starting games again in 2025. With the regular season wrapping up on September 27, there simply isn’t enough time to rebuild a starter’s workload safely. Instead, the team is preparing the former Cy Young runner-up for a high-impact relief role immediately. This pivot changes how Boston plans to use their most talented arm right now.
The Friday Session Changes Everything
Crochet hasn’t thrown in a game since April 25. He spent months recovering from a left lat setback that landed him on the injured list. Now, interim manager Chad Tracy says the left-hander is ready to take the next step. Reporters were informed by Tracy earlier this week that following a catch session off the mound at Fenway Park, Crochet felt good. The pitcher hit 89 to 90 mph during that workout. If all goes well, he will throw his first official bullpen session this Friday. This single workout will determine if he can face live batters and take a rehab assignment. You don’t get a second chance to test a shoulder like this in September.
Why the Starter Role Is Dead
Building a starter back up takes weeks of careful ramp-up work. The Red Sox can’t afford that luxury with only a few weeks left in the season. Triple-A Worcester ends its season on September 20, which is before the major league season concludes. A return to the majors for Crochet without first pitching in at least one minor league game would constitute quite a significant shock. The team needs him to get bullpens under his belt and face live hitters right away. According to RotoBaller MLB, the expectation is clear: if he returns, it is going to be in the bullpen. The data supports this move too. In 2025, Crochet secured second place in the American League Cy Young voting, posting a 2 ERA alongside an 18-5 record.59 ERA over 32 starts. However, in his second year with Boston, he has only started six games. Those starts came with a rough 6.30 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in just 30 innings. He clearly wasn’t feeling 100% before the injury, so going back to a full starter load makes little sense. Why force a round peg into a square hole when the playoffs are on the line?
The Bullpen Gap He Fills
Boston’s current bullpen ERA sits at 3.16, which ranks No. 2 in the league. That is a strong group, but they need a game-changer for the final stretch. Crochet could serve as an opener or a multi-inning reliever to lock down games. Prior to transitioning into a starter role with the Chicago White Sox during 2024, he initially pitched as a reliever. That versatility makes him a perfect fit for this new plan. Tracy mentioned that Crochet is unlikely to travel with the team this weekend while attempting to take another step toward returning. But once he clears his final hurdles, he could be the key to Boston’s September success. The Red Sox acquired him for a massive package including catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery after the 2024 season. Now they must use him where he can help most right now. “This weekend, I think,” Tracy told reporters when asked when Crochet could throw a bullpen. That timeline is tight, but the window to win is closing fast.
