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Boston Red Sox Announce Major Injury News for $38 Million Pitcher Ahead of 2025 MLB Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Ettinger | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 2:27 PM ET

With the start of the 2025 MLB season approaching, teams are looking to finalize their rosters. From their starting lineups to starting rotations, front offices and coaches are hoping their star players and free agent acquisitions remain healthy and ready to contribute on Opening Day.

The Boston Red Sox have made a handful of free agent splashes over the past few years, signing third baseman, Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal this offseason while also keeping third baseman, Rafael Devers on a 10-year, $313.5 million extension in 2023.

Lucas Giolito was the Red Sox' biggest free agent, pitching acquisition ahead of the 2024 season. Giolito and the Red Sox agreed to a two-year, $38.5 million deal. Giolito, 30, has not thrown a single regular season pitch for the Red Sox. Giolito missed the entire 2024 season after tearing his right ulnar collateral ligament. It appears Giolito's first pitch in a Red Sox uniform will have to wait.

On Thursday, Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, announced that Giolito will start this season on the injured list.

Alex Cora announced that Lucas Giolito will begin the season on the injured list.

Giolito signed a two-year, $38.5M deal before the 2024 season, but has yet to pitch in the regular season for Boston. pic.twitter.com/yb0FUtXygN
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 13, 2025

Giolito was pulled from his spring training start on Tuesday with a hamstring strain. Cora spoke with reporters Thursday, confirming Giolito's hamstring injury would cause the right-handed pitcher to start the season on the IL.

Giolito showed flashes of talent when he was a member of the Chicago White Sox, finishing in the top-11 in CY Young award voting in three straight seasons (2019-2021). Giolito has made 178 career starts, holding a record of 61-62 with an e.r.a of 4.43.

This is the third blow the Red Sox' starting rotation has received this week, as fellow pitchers, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford are expected to start the season on the IL as well.

The top of the Red Sox rotation should still feature Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, and Walker Buehler. The Red Sox have yet to announce their plans for the back end of the rotation, but they could turn to Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester, Michael Fulmer, Hunter Dobbins and Cooper Criswell to replace Giolito, Bello, and Crawford.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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