The Boston Red Sox have spent the majority of the 2026 season without staff ace Garrett Crochet.
Crochet, 27, landed on the injured list on April 29 with left shoulder inflammation, and a setback in his rehab further delayed his return to the field. The good news is that the rest of Boston’s talented rotation stepped up in his absence to catapult the team into playoff contention. With Crochet now throwing again, he can be a significant factor to the Red Sox’s hopes of a deep October run, even if he is limited to a bullpen role.
However, Crochet’s long-term injury has resulted in significant ramifications to his future in Boston – and it may be to the Red Sox’s benefit.
When Crochet agreed to a six-year, $170 million contract extension just one start into his Red Sox tenure, the southpaw’s deal included an opt-out after the 2030 season. But if he recorded a single IL stint of at least 120 days at any point from 2026 to 2031, the Red Sox could void the opt-out and add a $15 million club option for the 2032 season – Crochet’s age-33 season.
Sunday marked the 120th straight day that Crochet was sidelined for his injury this season. As a result, the Red Sox no longer have to worry about their talented lefty potentially leaving in the middle of his contract, while also adding another year of control if they desire.
Crochet was more than aware of this scenario when reporters addressed it to him this weekend, responding that he’s “long since accepted it”. But with that no longer being a concern, the lefty is fully focused on returning to the field and doing whatever he can to help the Red Sox this year.
There’s no denying that Boston misses the impact Crochet brings to the rotation. In his first season in Beantown last year, he was the runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award after tossing a career-best 205.1 innings with a 2.59 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 1.03 WHIP, and 255 strikeouts against just 46 walks.
But arms like Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett have collectively anchored the rotation in their ace’s stead, being key components to the Red Sox’s remarkable turnaround since late June. And with Crochet making steady progress in his throwing program lately, he could easily slot into an already vaunted bullpen once the postseason rolls around.
Before transitioning to a starting pitcher in 2024, Crochet saw success as a reliever with the Chicago White Sox by logging a 2.71 ERA and 3.16 FIP in 72 relief appearances from 2020 to 2023.
The contract update, however, further mitigates the sting of losing Crochet for most of this season. If Crochet stays healthy in 2027, he’s more than capable of rediscovering his 2025 form. And now, the Red Sox can get that elite production from him for the rest of the contract’s duration – plus one more year.
