What injury to Red Sox top acquisition means for starting rotation
The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation has taken another hit and is in need of desperate help.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that Lucas Giolito suffered an elbow injury that may put him out for the entire 2024 season. Giolito has been the team's most notable offseason acquisition and was meant to fill the hole left by the departure of Chris Sale.
Before Giolito's injury, the projected rotation included Giolito, Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford.
So, what happens now?
Well, the Sox have options in Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski. Or even better, free agent Jordan Montgomery.
Boston has been linked to Montgomery's name the last few weeks, but despite Giolito's injury, it seems like the signing is less likely to happen, writers MassLive's Christopher Smith.
"Signing Montgomery seemed unlikely anyway because of budget constraints Breslow is facing," writers Smith. "It now seems even less likely. Ownership set a [lower] budget because they don't believe this team is good enough to compete right now. They have made it clear they are in rebuild mode, not win-now mode, entering 2024."
It looks like Cora will have to work with what he has already.
Whitlock ended 2023 with a 5-5 record, 5.15 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 71.2 innings pitched. He made 10 starts and appeared in 22 games. He dealt with a few injuries last season but is healthy this year.
Winckowski appeared in 60 games and only made one start last season. He had a 4-4 record, 2.88 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 82 strikeouts over 84.1 innings pitched.
A starting job could also fall upon Cooper Criswell, Chris Murphy or Brandon Walter.
If Boston doesn't do anything to bring more depth to the starting rotation, Giolito's injury could have a domino effect on the rest of the rotation and the bullpen. But given the team is expected to finish in the basement of the AL East once again, ownership seemingly isn't worrying about spending money on a starter.
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