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The Boston Red Sox placed ace starter Garrett Crochet on the injured list a few days ago with left shoulder inflammation.

ESPN News Services wrote (on May 1):

“Crochet, 26, is off to a rocky start in his second season in Boston. The two-time All-Star has a 6.30 ERA over his first six starts, including an outing in Minnesota two weeks ago when he allowed a career-worst 10 earned runs against the Twins.”

Garrett Crochet then indicated to reporters that he’s confident he should be good to return after the IL stint. Another report mentioned that the decision came from CBO Craig Breslow and is the best decision for Crochet to go ahead and rest that shoulder for now.

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Garrett Crochet’s MRI Comes Back Clean on Left Shoulder

GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 13: Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field on April 13, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

On Friday, Garrett Crochet received the results from an MRI on his left shoulder, and the imaging came back clean.

Gabrielle Starr wrote (on May 1): “Chad Tracy said Garrett Crochet isn’t throwing yet but the MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage, just the inflammation the Red Sox expected.”

This is good injury news for the Red Sox, who have struggled out the gates of the 2026 season, and could definitely use Crochet back in the rotation. Despite the slow start, Garrett Crochet is one of the best southpaws in MLB, and positive regression is in the near future.

However, with shoulder injuries, you want to be extra careful, as they can linger past the expected recovery timeline and sometimes have an impact on pitchers months after the original incident.

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Garrett Crochet’s Time as a Starter

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 19: Starting pitcher Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox throws in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

Garrett Crochet had a season to remember in 2025 with the Red Sox in the first year of his six-year, $170 million contract.

He started 32 games, pitched 205+ innings, and recorded a 2.59 ERA with 255 strikeouts.

Crochet came up through the Chicago White Sox organization as a reliever and transitioned into a starter in 2024. He earned All-Star honors in 2024 with a solid season (32 starts, 3.58 ERA, 209 strikeouts).

The Boston Red Sox are 12-19, and are currently in last place in the American League East, which is very concerning. Boston is eight games back of the Yankees.

The fact that Crochet’s MRI is clean, again, is good news, but the Red Sox desperately need him back in the rotation sooner rather than later.

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