Red Sox Ace Crochet Lands on IL After Rocky Start
Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet has been placed on the 15-day IL following a concerning start to his 2026 campaign, raising questions about the team's rotation depth. His early-season struggles contrast sharply with his expected ace-level performance.
Red Sox ace Crochet to IL after rocky start to ’26…
Boston, MA – The Boston Red Sox announced Tuesday that ace left-hander Garrett Crochet has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 5th, with what the team describes as “forearm tightness.” The move comes after a decidedly un-ace like start to the 2026 Major League Baseball season for Crochet, a cornerstone of Boston’s rotation following his significant acquisition last winter.
Crochet’s performance through his first five starts has been a stark departure from the dominant form that earned him All-Star consideration in 2025. His 2026 ERA sits at an elevated 6.15 across 26.1 innings, coupled with a troubling 1.60 WHIP and a career-low 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings. This contrasts sharply with his impressive 2025 campaign where he posted a 2.80 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier power lefties. The underlying metrics for this season also paint a concerning picture; his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 4.88 suggests that even when accounting for defensive play, his struggles are substantive, not merely bad luck. Its a significant blow for a team that has started the season with an uninspiring 10-14 record, already battling for traction in the competitive AL East.
The “forearm tightness” diagnosis, while initially vague, is a phrase that sends shivers down the spine of any baseball fan, particularly when associated with a high-velocity pitcher. Given the historical prevalence of more severe elbow and shoulder injuries following such initial reports, Boston’s medical staff will undoubtedly be conducting extensive examinations to determine the root cause and severity of Crochet’s discomfort. Manager Alex Cora noted, “Garrett felt something in his last start, and we decided not to push it. We need him healthy for the long haul, so we’re being proactive here.”
Impact on Red Sox Rotation and Playoff Hopes
Crochet’s absence presents an immediate challenge for a Red Sox rotation already struggling for consistency. The team will likely rely on a combination of veterans like Tanner Houck, who has shown flashes of brilliance but lacks Crochet’s dominant ceiling, and perhaps an emergent younger arm from the Triple-A system, to fill the void. The Red Sox management, always keen on player health, opted for caution, although the specifics of the injury beyond ‘forearm tightness’ remain undisclosed and naturally spark concern among the fanbase who had high hopes for Crochet this season. This setback further complicates Boston’s path to contention, as a healthy, top-tier starter was paramount to their postseason aspirations. The success of the season now hinges heavily on the performance of the remaining starters and the timeline for Crochet’s return, which, for now, remains an open question.
