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Red Sox Nation, you can finally exhale: lefty ace Garrett Crochet has his sights set on October for a dramatic comeback—just as the MLB playoff race is heating up. Crochet hasn’t thrown a pitch since April, and his rehab has been a wild ride, but he told The Boston Globe his goal is crystal clear: be ready for the postseason.
The 2026 season has been a nightmare for Crochet. After a forgettable start—posting a 6.30 ERA in his first six outings (a far cry from last year’s sparkling 2.59)—the southpaw landed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. What looked like a minor hiccup turned into a saga of setbacks and frustration. By June, Crochet admitted he wouldn’t be back before the All-Star Game. Now, it’s October or bust.
Time is not on his side. Every week on the shelf means more work to get back into game shape. Even if he got the green light to start ramping up today, he’d need at least six weeks to be ready—putting his return right around September. That means Crochet is aiming straight for the stretch run and the playoffs.
Red Sox: Hot Streak and a Rotation Under Pressure
While Crochet battles to return, the Red Sox have shocked everyone with a 14-game winning streak, vaulting themselves into the AL Wild Card picture. Without their ace, the rotation has been a real puzzle: Sonny Gray, Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett, and Patrick Sandoval have shouldered the load, while Ranger Suárez is close to coming off the IL—maybe even for today’s doubleheader.
The bullpen has had to get creative, too, with Eduardo Rivera and Brayan Bello taking on long relief roles, and uncertainty swirling around Connelly Early’s return. Plus, names like Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, and Johan Oviedo are still floating around as possible reinforcements for the rotation later this year.
With the August 3 trade deadline looming, Boston’s front office might be shopping for another arm to shore up the rotation. But here’s the million-dollar question: do you roll the dice on a rusty Crochet, or stick with the guys who’ve kept the ship afloat? Crochet’s ceiling is sky-high—he finished second in last year’s AL Cy Young voting, just behind Tarik Skubal. But his shoulder has been a constant headache, and nobody knows which version of the lefty will show up after so much time off.
Crochet’s Contract Future: A Win for Boston?
Off the field, Crochet’s situation has some spicy contract implications. His deal includes an opt-out after 2030—but only if he doesn’t spend 120 days on the IL with an arm injury. All signs point to that threshold being hit by August 23, which basically wipes out his opt-out and gives the Red Sox an extra year of control over his arm.
There’s also a club option for 2032 at $15 million, triggered by the same 120-day rule. If Crochet can stay healthy and effective, that’s a steal for Boston, considering what a mid-rotation starter goes for in today’s MLB market.
As for Crochet himself? He doesn’t seem too worried about missing out on free agency: “What’s the worst that could happen? I stay in Boston for another year? That’s pretty great. This is where I wanted to be,” he told the Boston Globe. The lefty admitted the clause was designed to protect both him and the club, and while he would’ve liked to cash in, he’s grateful for the security.
Crochet as a Reliever? The Ace Isn’t Buying It—For Now
Some analysts have floated the idea that coming back as a reliever could be the quickest way to get Crochet back on the mound, but the man himself says his goal is to return as a starter. He recalled that in 2023, after another shoulder injury, he did come back as a one-inning reliever, but this time, he’s focused on reclaiming his spot in the rotation.
The final call will depend on how his rehab goes—and what the team needs down the stretch. If Boston punches its ticket to October, a healthy, locked-in Crochet could be the X-factor that tips the scales in the postseason.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garrett Crochet and the Red Sox
When could Garrett Crochet return to the Red Sox?
Crochet himself is targeting the MLB Playoffs, but a return before October looks unlikely given the ramp-up time he’ll need after such a long layoff.
Why has he been out so long?
Crochet suffered shoulder inflammation in late April. What was supposed to be a short stint on the IL turned into a series of setbacks that have kept him sidelined.
Could he come back as a reliever?
For now, Crochet insists he wants to return as a starter, though he admits the team might consider other options depending on his health and the roster’s needs.
How does his injury affect his contract?
By surpassing 120 days on the IL, Crochet will lose his post-2030 opt-out, giving the Red Sox an extra year of control and a club option for 2032.
What impact has his absence had on the Red Sox?
Surprisingly, the team has responded with a 14-game winning streak and is in the Wild Card hunt, though the rotation has had to get creative and may need reinforcements for the stretch run.
