Garrett Crochet, the ace left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, has been diagnosed with a very low-grade left lat strain, according to interim manager Chad Tracy. This setback comes as Crochet was making progress in his recovery from left shoulder inflammation, which had sidelined him since April 29th. Crochet's last start for the Red Sox was on April 25th, where he pitched six scoreless innings in a win over the Orioles, marking Alex Cora's last game as manager before his departure.
The road to recovery has been a challenging one for Crochet. Initially, he thought he might just need the 15 days on the injured list (IL) to recover from his shoulder inflammation. However, his recovery didn't progress as quickly as hoped, and he had to undergo an MRI after experiencing minor soreness in his lat while playing catch. The MRI revealed a low-grade strain, which has temporarily halted his throwing program.
Crochet's frustration is understandable, given the nature of side injuries. As he himself noted, "I'm kind of just tight, I would say. Nothing really glaring, like painful-wise. I’m feeling much better than I was a couple days ago, which is positive." The key to managing this injury is to ensure Crochet resumes throwing only when he is asymptomatic, as pushing too hard too soon can exacerbate the issue.
Despite this setback, Crochet remains optimistic. He threw an inning of live batting practice on May 26th, which he described as going well, with good velocity and command. He believes the minor lat strain is a result of compensation due to his shoulder injury and doesn't expect it to be a major concern. Once he's cleared to resume throwing, the Red Sox will have a clearer timeline for his return to the mound.
Given the length of his absence and the remaining build-up needed, it's likely that Crochet won't return to action before July. This setback serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of side injuries and the importance of patience in the recovery process. Crochet's resilience and determination will be crucial in his journey back to the mound, and the Red Sox organization will be closely monitoring his progress.
