Garrett Crochet open to late-season bullpen role for Red Sox

Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Garrett Crochet open to late-season bullpen role for Red Sox

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Aug 5, 2026 11:56 PM ET

Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet has not pitched since late April due to left shoulder inflammation and lat tightness, but the Red Sox received a positive injury update on the 27-year-old on Tuesday as he has commenced a light-throwing program.

The aim is for him to return with the Red Sox in September, who are in a prime position to make the postseason following their dominant performance since late June.

But Crochet made a big announcement on Wednesday that he is open to pitching in a relief role, especially if it helps him to return faster. He stated, ''There’s no ego about it. It’s something I’ve done before. If I could help us achieve the goal, I don’t really care what role it is.”

His willingness to pitch out of the bullpen showcases that he's a team player and that he will do whatever it takes for his team to win.

Garrett Crochet on the possibility of coming back faster as a reliever this season: “There’s no ego about it. It’s something I’ve done before. If I could help us achieve the goal, I don’t really care what role is.”

- @bradfo pic.twitter.com/BkJ8i5UR21
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) August 5, 2026

Garrett Crochet pitching out of the pen wouldn't be anything new

Pitching out of the pen wouldn't be a novelty for the southpaw, as he pitched out of the pen across his first three seasons with the Chicago White Sox before transitioning as a starter in 2024. Crochet was then traded to Boston, where he logged a successful 2025 campaign with an 18-5 record, a 2.59 ERA and 255 strikeouts while finishing second in the AL Cy Young voting.

Crochet also wouldn't be the first undisputed ace for the Red Sox to pitch out of the bullpen, as Chris Sale pitched in relief twice during their 2018 World Series postseason run. While Crochet still has ways to go before he can officially return with the Red Sox, throwing out to 50-60 feet in Boston was the first time he threw a baseball in more than two months.

Crochet's projected late-season return would come at a pivotal time, when the Red Sox will be looking to seal the deal as surprising contenders following early-season struggles where they were 14 games under .500 in June.

Crochet pitching out of the pen would also help him to manage his buildup, but his assistance in the pen is certainly not a necessity. The Red Sox have a lockdown unit in the pen, who own a bullpen ERA of 3.38 that sits second in MLB.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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