UPDATE: Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito is officially out for the entire postseason due to an elbow injury, as confirmed by manager Alex Cora on Tuesday. This development comes just before the Red Sox’s wild-card series against the New York Yankees, significantly impacting their playoff chances.
Giolito, who had already been ruled out for the wild-card series, sought a second opinion from a doctor in Alabama earlier today. Fortunately, tests indicated no structural damage, meaning he will avoid surgery. However, Cora described the likelihood of Giolito returning to the mound in 2025 as “slim.” Cora stated,
“[We’ll] rule him out probably.”
The absence of Giolito, who was slated to start Game 3 if necessary, puts additional pressure on the Red Sox pitching lineup. Rookie left-hander Connelly Early, just 23 years old, is expected to take the mound in his place. Early made his major league debut on September 9, showcasing promise with a 2.33 ERA over 19.1 innings in four starts, although he has yet to complete more than 5.1 innings in a game.
Giolito’s challenging journey included a bounce-back year in 2025, where he recorded a solid 3.41 ERA across 145 innings after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox had hoped to capitalize on his strong performance, which converted a $14 million club option for 2026 into a $19 million mutual option. Cora noted that avoiding another surgery is a relief for Giolito, saying,
“I think from a personal standpoint, that’s good news for him, right?”
With Giolito sidelined, the Red Sox will rely on American League Cy Young Award contender Garrett Crochet to start Game 1 on Tuesday, followed by Brayan Bello in Game 2 on Wednesday. The Yankees will counter with a formidable pitching rotation, including left-handers Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, and rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler in Game 3 if needed.
As the postseason heats up, fans and analysts alike are left to speculate how the Red Sox will navigate the playoffs without one of their key pitchers. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops and the postseason unfolds.