Overview
- Crochet completed a roughly 20-pitch side/bullpen session on Tuesday and reported feeling good, with team staff calling it a positive step toward returning.
- Early bullpen work has shown limited velocity so far, with a prior session sitting in the upper 80s on the radar gun, and the club plans more live-hitting work before advancing him.
- Boston is planning to use Crochet as a short reliever rather than rebuild him into a starter this month to limit innings and protect his shoulder.
- A traditional minor-league rehab start appears unlikely because Triple-A Worcester’s season ends Sept. 20, so the next checkpoints are live batting practice or simulated-game work and doctor clearance.
- Crochet’s return would carry big upside and risk: he was the 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up on a six-year, $170 million contract, and the Red Sox say they will only add him if he demonstrably has his usual stuff.