Red Sox season continues to get worse with Garrett Crochet news

The Boston Red Sox's season continues to trend downward, as their ace, left-hander Garrett Crochet, is headed to the injured list. According to an announcement by the team, Crochet was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 26) with left shoulder inflammation. 

The Red Sox called up infielder/outfielder Nate Eaton from Triple-A Worcester to take Crochet’s spot on the active roster. While at Triple-A, Eaton was hitting .292 with an .831 OPS, three home runs, 12 RBI and six stolen bases. Eaton’s speed should play well for interim manager Chad Tracy. 

Crochet is the second Boston starting pitcher to land on the IL this month, joining right-hander Sonny Gray, who hit the injured list with a right hamstring strain on April 21. Crochet hitting the injured list couldn't have come at a worse time, as the Red Sox deal with the fallout from firing manager Alex Cora. 

Even though Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, he hasn't pitched well enough to enter that discussion again. Through six starts this season, Crochet is 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA and is one hit batsman away from tying his career high (five). 

The Red Sox have the depth to sustain Garrett Crochet’s injury

Despite losing Crochet and Gray, the Red Sox have had more than enough depth to fill in. Left-hander Payton Tolle has come up and made two starts for the Red Sox, one good and one bad. Tolle allowed three earned runs and four walks on 4.2 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays and allowed one earned run and struck out 11 in six innings against the New York Yankees. 

The Red Sox also have left-hander Eduardo Rivera down at Worcester as another option to bring up. Rivera was called up in the aftermath of Gray hitting the injured list and threw 3.1 innings with no runs and three strikeouts in their 4-1 loss to the Yankees on April 22. 

Until Crochet returns, left-hander Ranger Suarez, who was the Red Sox's big offseason signing (five years, $130 million), will be expected to lead the pitching staff.