Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet set for big step forward amid injury recovery

The Boston Red Sox may finally be moving closer toward getting Garrett Crochet back atop their rotation. Discussion surrounding Crochet’s recovery intensified Saturday after a promising update emerged regarding the next phase of the left-hander’s rehab progression.

The Red Sox placed Crochet on the injured list in late April because of left shoulder inflammation. Since then, the organization has carefully monitored every stage of his throwing program while avoiding any unnecessary setbacks during the recovery process.

The Red Sox entered the weekend series vs. the Minnesota Twins still searching for consistency throughout both the rotation and bullpen. Crochet’s absence has significantly impacted Boston’s pitching stability after the club entered the season expecting the left-hander to anchor the staff during an important year in the American League East.

Crochet has continued progressing through side sessions, and the next phase of his recovery may offer the clearest indication yet about his return timeline. Teams often view facing live hitters as one of the most important checkpoints in a pitcher’s rehab because it allows evaluators to measure command, velocity, and overall shoulder response in a competitive setting.

The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey shared the latest update Saturday on X, formerly Twitter, after reporting a significant development involving Crochet’s injury recovery.

“Garrett Crochet is penciled in to face hitters on Tuesday, Chad Tracy said. It’ll be his first time doing so since going on the IL.”

Garrett Crochet is penciled in to face hitters on Tuesday, Chad Tracy said. It’ll be his first time doing so since going on the IL.

— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) May 23, 2026

If the southpaw responds well during the live batting practice session, the Red Sox will likely begin discussing a possible rehab assignment soon. The organization continues approaching the recovery process cautiously, but the latest update represents one of the strongest signs yet that Crochet may finally be entering the final stages of his injury progression.

The Red Sox continue searching for additional stability from their pitching staff as the season approaches June. Boston enters Saturday with a 22-28 record and sits only a half-game ahead of the last-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, making Crochet’s eventual return increasingly important moving forward.

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