Red Sox's Garrett Crochet is ready to return after Tuesday's live BP

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

Red Sox's Garrett Crochet is ready to return after Tuesday's live BP

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Sep 22, 2026 4:16 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox have been without ace Garrett Crochet since late April when he began dealing with a shoulder injury.

Fans have eagerly awaited the return of the 2025 AL Cy Young Award runner-up, and his comments after a live BP session on Tuesday indicated that his return may be very soon.

Garrett Crochet is ready to return

Crochet threw a 16-pitch live BP session on Tuesday, his first time facing live hitters since May. Despite the limited number of pitches, Crochet left the session feeling fairly confident about his ability to get major league hitters out.

“I felt like, with the way that went, I could go get outs," Crochet said, via Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo.

Boston would almost certainly like to see Crochet build up a little past 16 pitches, but his confidence and mindset are an encouraging sign.

Garrett Crochet says what happens next is up to Craig Breslow and Chad Tracy after a 16-pitch live BP against Ceddanne Rafaela in which he hit 96 mph.

“I felt like, with the way that went, I could go get outs.”
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) September 22, 2026

What could Garrett Crochet's role be?

It is clear that Crochet won't be returning as a starter, so what exactly could his role in a postseason series look like?

The option that makes the most sense would appear to be Crochet returning as a high-leverage reliever in late-game situations. Boston has Aroldis Chapman as its closer, meaning Crochet could be an option for the seventh or eighth inning.

Whatever the case may be and whatever the role is, a returning Crochet for what will likely be an AL East showdown between the Red Sox and New York Yankees will give Boston an even better chance to get revenge from last year's Wild Card Series loss to the Yankees.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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