Garrett Crochet begins a throwing progression as Roman Anthony starts batting practice in Red Sox rehab updates

The Red Sox’s latest rehab update gave a measure of hope on two different fronts, with ace left-hander Garrett Crochet beginning a throwing program and top prospect Roman Anthony starting batting practice. The moves do not guarantee a midseason return timeline, but they reflect progress from earlier phases of recovery and an increasingly baseball-specific ramp toward full participation.

Crochet, a primary part of Boston’s rotation when healthy, has been in a quiet period from live throwing. According to the team report, he went over two months without throwing a baseball while working to strengthen his rotator cuff, an area that can be especially sensitive for pitchers who rely on repeatable arm mechanics and shoulder stability.

During part of that work, Crochet did throw plyometric balls. The team said he viewed that approach as counterproductive to the strength work he was trying to build, which is why the program shifted toward targeted conditioning without baseball throws. The next phase, beginning to throw again, is described as being in its infancy, underscoring that the work is still early and likely will be guided by daily or weekly responses rather than a fixed calendar.

Roman Anthony’s update was shorter on medical detail but similarly focused on baseball skills. The report said the outfield prospect began batting practice, a meaningful marker because it transitions an injured or restricted player from general conditioning into live swing patterns and bat-to-ball timing. For hitters, being able to take organized swings is often a bridge step toward more advanced activities.

The Red Sox’s organization has emphasized long-term management of player health this season, and these rehab steps fit that broader model. Throwing programs for pitchers typically build in stages, starting with lower intensity and gradually adding volume and complexity, while position-player progressions commonly begin with controlled work before expanding to higher-speed pitching or more game-like conditions.

For fans, the most immediate takeaway is that both players are moving forward from earlier rehab limitations. Crochet’s return would be a significant boost to Boston’s pitching depth and bullpen leverage, given how central the left-hander’s role can be to a series plan. Anthony’s potential return would add a dynamic element to Boston’s lineup options, especially if his progress can carry over from batting practice into more comprehensive baseball activity.

What to watch next is not simply whether throwing or batting practice continues, but how both players respond as their workloads rise. The team’s next rehab updates will likely indicate when the progressions expand beyond early stages, and whether additional steps, such as facing higher-leverage pitching or longer defensive stretches, move into view.