THE Boston Red Sox received a disappointing injury update with a key starting pitcher.
The MLB pitcher will not be able to start against the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora looks on during a game this season[/caption]
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito reacts after being taken out of the game during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees on September 12[/caption]
The Red Sox will face the Yankees in a best-of-three series, which begins on Tuesday.
However, the team will be without right-hander Lucas Giolito for the whole series due to an elbow injury.
Giolito was expected to start the potential third game of the series on Thursday.
Ace pitcher Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello will start in Game 1 and Game 2, respectively.
“It’s a big blow,” Crochet said.
“He’s a great arm, and I think that he strikes fear in opposing lineups.”
Giolito was examined by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center.
Dugas has a history with Giolito as the doctor repaired the 31-year-old’s right elbow with internal brace surgery in March 2024.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke to reporters about Giolito and his elbow issue.
“He’s been battling with his elbow the last few days, and today he went to see Dr. Dugas,” he said.
“Hopefully it’s nothing major, but he won’t be ready for this one.”
Left-handers Connerly Early and Kyle Harrison are candidates to start Game 3.
The latter pitcher was sent to the Red Sox in the Rafael Devers trade.
The Yankees, meanwhile, will start lefties Max Fried and Carlos Rodon in the first two games, and rookie Cam Schlittler in Game 3.
Giolito last pitched in a start against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 23[/caption]
Giolito saw his average fastball velocity drop in the final month of the regular season.
He threw 93.9 miles per hour in an August 26 start at the Arizona Diamondbacks, but hit 92.1 mph in his last start at the Toronto Blue Jays on September 23.
Giolito was 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA in four September starts after going 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in six August games.
This season, he was 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts.
Giolito joined the Red Sox in 2024 but missed the whole campaign due to a right elbow injury that forced him to undergo surgery.
He had Tommy John surgery in 2012.
