Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet remains in limbo after lat strain, says he has ‘no idea’ on return timeline

Boston’s rotation took another hit to its calendar when Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox’ presumed innings anchor, offered little clarity on when he would be ready to throw again. Crochet has been out since late April with a lat strain, and in recent remarks he indicated the condition is more serious than the team originally believed, leaving his clearance timeline unclear.

According to Yahoo Sports, Crochet described his recovery as farther behind than expected, saying he has “a lot worse than we thought.” The comments add to the concern that this is not simply a short setback. Instead, the language points to a deeper recovery arc, where getting back on the mound depends on regaining strength and tolerance rather than moving through a simple, pre-set rehab schedule.

Just as important for Boston’s planning, Crochet also said he has “no idea” when he might be cleared to throw. For a starting pitcher, the ability to begin a throwing progression is often a turning point, because it allows teams to estimate future innings and target a return window. When that moment is not even identifiable, it can push the organization into more immediate, short-term rotation management.

The Red Sox, who have been trying to keep their pitching staff functional through a demanding MLB summer, now face the practical problem of replacing a front-of-the-rotation workload without the benefit of a defined timetable for Crochet’s return. In that environment, the team’s immediate priority tends to become stabilization, using other starters and bullpen options to bridge innings and avoid overextending pitchers who already have heavy recent usage.

The story also underscores a recurring reality of baseball injuries. Lat strains can vary significantly in severity, and even when a pitcher begins to feel better, the throwing phase is where durability is tested. Clearance decisions typically depend on pain-free mechanics, progressive strengthening, and the absence of setbacks during or after throwing sessions. Crochet’s “no idea” comment suggests those milestones have not yet come into focus.

What to watch next for Boston is whether the Red Sox can provide any official update on Crochet’s rehab status, particularly around the next step in his throwing program. Even modest markers, such as a date for reassessment or an outline of his progression, can materially change how the staff is managed over the following weeks.

For now, the only certainty is that the Red Sox must plan as though Crochet’s absence will continue at least through the near-term. That puts more pressure on the rest of the rotation depth and on the bullpen’s ability to absorb start-to-bullpen transitions, because late-season baseball often punishes staffs that chase short-term fixes with pitchers who are not ready for heavy workloads.