Red Sox Pitcher Makes Concerning Admission About Starting Rotation

The knee ailment didn’t stop Crawford from making a league-high 33 starts last year. However, he went 9-16 with a 4.36 ERA and allowed an MLB-worst 34 home runs.

Crawford shared his pride in starting every game despite the injury and mediocre numbers.

“I’m gonna grab the ball every fifth day and give you everything I got,” Crawford said, according to the Red Sox’s official website. “So, yeah, I do take pride in it but ... at the same time, it took a toll on my body.”

Crawford said he hopes to avoid surgery.

“If I still have pain and discomfort, then we’ll probably reassess the situation,” Crawford said. “But, kind of just right now, day by day, just trying to build the strength in it.”

It is unclear if Crawford will open the year in Boston’s rotation. The Red Sox traded for White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet in December and signed ex-Dodger Walker Buehler.

Although he’s primarily started in the majors, Crawford has experience pitching out of the bullpen. He’d also likely be the first replacement if a starter goes down—and given Crochet, Buehler, and Lucas Giolito’s durability issues, Crawford figures to wind up in the rotation at some point.

However, that’d obviously change if Crawford’s knee issues persist—or, in a worst-case scenario, he undergoes surgery.