Garrett Crochet took a meaningful step toward Boston’s October picture Tuesday, facing live hitters for the first time in nearly four months as the Red Sox weigh whether the left-hander can help out of the bullpen.
A live look before the postseason
Crochet threw 16 pitches to teammate Ceddanne Rafaela and touched 96 mph with his fastball. The outing came with one week remaining before Boston is scheduled to open an American League Wild Card Series, with Yankee Stadium the likely setting for Game 1.
The lefty last appeared in a major league game on April 25, earning a win over Baltimore. A stretch of left shoulder inflammation followed shortly afterward and kept him off the mound for months.
- Tuesday marked Crochet’s first live batting-practice session since the injury layoff.
- He reached 96 mph during the 16-pitch workout.
- Boston is considering him for short relief work if he is activated for the postseason.
- He is expected to throw again this weekend.
Crochet feels ready to compete
After the session, Crochet said he believed he could record outs if called upon, while stressing that his job description will be decided by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Chad Tracy.
“Based on how that live session went, I feel like I can get people out,” Crochet said. “The role is not really mine to choose. I know my body, though, and the important part was feeling good and being able to raise the intensity to a level I had not reached yet.”
Wednesday’s recovery will carry real weight in the decision. Crochet said the club’s baseball leadership will evaluate what it saw Tuesday and determine the next move.
He also acknowledged the roster complication facing a team that has received strong pitching throughout the season. Adding Crochet for October would mean removing someone else from the group.
“This club has had a terrific year,” Crochet said. “For me to take a roster spot, another player would lose one, and that is difficult because these pitchers have worked so hard all year. The front office will make that call when it believes I’m ready. Until then, I’ll keep putting in the work.”
The weekend will shape Boston’s call
The Red Sox have two primary paths for Crochet’s next outing. He could face hitters again in another live batting-practice setting, or the club could put him into one of its final regular-season games.
There is also a more cautious alternative: Boston could leave Crochet off the Wild Card Series roster and preserve the possibility of using him later should it advance to the Division Series.
Tracy saw encouraging signs while watching Tuesday’s work from behind the plate.
“The velocity is coming back up,” Tracy said. “From where I was standing, the movement looked crisp. He is moving in the right direction.”
The manager said the final judgment must balance Crochet’s progress this week with the demands of postseason relief. Boston wants to determine whether the left-hander can fill a specific October role without rushing the final stage of his return.
“Whatever decision is made, it will put Garrett’s well-being first and make sure we handle it properly,” Tracy said. “We have to see what he can do this week, then compare that with what the postseason asks of him. Once we get through the weekend, we’ll have a better idea. But the progress has been very encouraging.”
