Elbow injuries are the most feared by pitchers.
They have the potential to knock out a hurler for months, even more than a full season in some cases.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito, who joined the team just a few weeks ago on a two-year, $38.5 million deal as a free agent, now faces an extended absence because of an elbow injury.
Per MLB insider Jeff Passan, imaging showed that the talented Giolito likely has a partially torn UCL and a flexor strain on top of that.
There is a chance he needs surgery, and if it’s Tommy John, he faces between 12-16 months off the field.
Even if he doesn’t go under the knife (an unlikely, yet still plausible scenario), he figures to miss time and it will be measured in months, not weeks.
Needless to say, both team and player are crushed by the news: Giolito was eager to start a new chapter with a new organization, after a couple of rough seasons in 2022 and 2023, and the Red Sox were counting on him to be one of the veteran leaders of the rotation.
Fans also weighed in on the news.
Some have pointed out the awful timing of the injury for the team:
bro hasn't hardly missed a start in 6 seasons and goes to Boston with a torn UCL/flexor.
That's unreal
— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) March 5, 2024
Others just feel bad for Giolito:
That sucks. Poor guy
— Mike (@ChiSoxFanMike) March 5, 2024
What?? Prayers up
— sky (@GonsolinRBW) March 5, 2024
However, most Red Sox fans have criticized the front office and owner John Henry for getting to this point with little to no pitching depth:
Wow, Red Sox should have got more than one SP this winter.
— GreenRunsDeep (@CelticsGRD) March 5, 2024
John Henry should be punished for what he’s done to Boston’s roster
— RB (@rbhockey6) March 5, 2024
There is still top pitching talent available in free agency, namely Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.
How desperately will the Red Sox pursue them?
We will find out, possibly in a few days.
NEXT: Red Sox Get Crushing Injury News On Veteran Pitcher