The Boston Red Sox are already facing key injuries in their starting rotation. Right-handers Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford are dealing with shoulder and knee soreness, respectively. Bello’s issue emerged at the start of spring training, while Crawford has been managing his injury for nearly a year.
Manager Alex Cora provided updates on both pitchers while speaking with reporters on Saturday. “With Kutter, it looks like it’s going to take a while before he pitches in camp,” Cora said, via MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “Opening Day is uncertain right now. He’s not feeling great, he’s behind, and we need to ensure his knee is in good shape so his shoulder doesn’t suffer.”
Cora was slightly more optimistic about Bello but did not offer a timeline for his return. “Bello has a strength test on Sunday to assess his progress and adjust his plan accordingly,” Cora said. “He hasn’t started bullpen sessions yet, so we’ll see how things go next week.”
On the bright side, Boston’s rotation is better positioned to handle injuries this season compared to last year. However, depth beyond Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Tanner Houck remains a concern. Lucas Giolito is recovering from a significant arm injury, Richard Fitts is unproven, and Quinn Priester may need more time in the minors to refine his arsenal. Cooper Criswell provides solid depth but might be better suited for a long-relief role in the bullpen.
Despite the concerns, Bello and Crawford have ample time to recover, and more updates on their statuses should emerge in the coming days.
