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Red Sox Weigh Direct Postseason Return for Garrett Crochet After Second Side Session

The club says it will only add him to a playoff roster if he proves he has the velocity, command and feel needed to be effective and to limit re-injury risk.

Overview

  • Crochet completed a second side/bullpen session of roughly 20 pitches on Tuesday and coaches described the outing as looking and feeling good.
  • Because Triple-A Worcester’s season ends on Sept. 20, the Red Sox expect he will not make a minor-league rehab start and instead must progress through live hitting or simulated-game checkpoints.
  • If the club clears him, Crochet would rejoin the team as a reliever or opener on short outings rather than returning to the rotation, with planned limits of roughly two to three innings per appearance.
  • His recovery has been cautious after left-shoulder inflammation and a later-diagnosed left lat strain cost him most of the season and placed him on the 60-day injured list.
  • A cleared Crochet ahead of the Sept. 29 postseason would give Boston an elite late-inning option but the team is balancing that upside against performance and re-injury risks and will only activate him if he meets medical and performance standards.