Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Red Sox' Lucas Giolito Injury Revealed After Spring Training Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brook Smith | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 2:41 PM ET

The long-awaited debut for Boston Red Sox hurler Lucas Giolito came and went underwhelmingly. The righty was able to go an inning against the Philadelphia Phillies for his first appearance on a mound since March 2024.

In that inning, he gave up a pair of runs and stumbled to the finish line with a strikeout of Phillies' Rafael Marchán. That would be it for Giolito as he did not return to the mound for the top of the 2nd inning after throwing 24 pitches.

As it turns out, Giolito exited the game as a precaution due to a hamstring issue, per MassLive's Sean McAdam.

Lucas Giolito left after one inning because of left hamstring tightness.
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) March 11, 2025

It's been a long road for Giolito, who underwent an internal brace procedure to repair a partial tear of his UCL last year. That came after he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, and as a result, he did not make a single start.

However, if healthy, the Red Sox could have something special on their hands. Giolito is owed $19 million for 2025, and there’s every reason to believe he could return to his 2019-2021 form.

During that stretch, he last pitched well for the Chicago White Sox, posting a 3.51 ERA and striking out nearly 11 batters per nine innings. That type of arm made him such a desirable asset on the trade market, and it could end up being an excellent situation for Boston.

But he has to be healthy, and things are not looking great for him so far.

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

More must-reads: