Garrett Crochet says his lingering lat strain is far worse than expected, with no clear timeline for when he’ll be able to even play catch again. His latest setback comes as the 2026 Red Sox remain stuck below .500.
Garrett Crochet stared at the calendar and still couldn’t name a date.
The Red Sox ace, already absent since April 25, told Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that he isn’t any closer to returning from an extended stint on the injured list. His lat strain, he said, is not just slowing him down—it’s far worse than anyone initially believed.
Crochet said the injury “is a lot worse than what we thought.” When Abraham asked when Crochet expects to be cleared to at least play catch, a small step forward that would mark progress, the left-hander replied, “I have no idea.”
That uncertainty is another hit to a Red Sox team that has spent much of the underwhelming 2026 season without the player who finished as the 2025 AL Cy Young Award runner-up. Crochet has not pitched in a game since April 25. when Boston first placed the 26-year-old southpaw on the injured list with what was initially described as shoulder fatigue.
The story then shifted. Crochet looked like he was moving forward after pitching a simulated inning on May 26. but he was shut down just a few days later. At that point, the team initially characterized the problem as a “mild” lat strain. Crochet has since undergone multiple attempts to ramp up his return. only to be hindered each time by the lingering issue.
His words in recent days have matched the physical stall. On June 1, Crochet told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, “Feels like a very minor setback. It [stinks] to even call it a setback. It doesn’t feel like it even deserves that title.” He added. “Just trying to make sure that when I do return to play. that I’m there for the rest of the year.”.
For now, the only certainty is that he remains sidelined. Boston has not provided a new target, and Crochet said he has “no idea” when he might be able to do even the first recovery step of playing catch.
The Red Sox are feeling the absence in the standings, too. After Wednesday’s loss—and series sweep—at the hands of the Rays, Boston sits 12 games under .500 at 27-39. It is the first time the Red Sox have been 12 games under .500 in June since 1997.
Crochet’s health is one of several setbacks piling up this season. Roman Anthony has also been out since May 4 due to a wrist injury, and the team says he is not any closer to returning after experiencing discomfort while swinging a bat earlier this month.
Garrett Crochet Red Sox lat strain injured list April 25 May 26 simulated inning Rays sweep 27-39 1997 June record