How can it end before it even starts? That is the question that everyone in Red Sox country, from Boston to Fort Myers and everywhere in between, is asking themselves right now.
As previously reported by Forbes.com, Lucas Giolito—the player with the two-year, $38.5 million contract—has a partially torn UCL and a flexor strain, which could prevent him from playing in 2024. This information was provided by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. More information will be provided soon. The bright side is that if Giolito doesn’t pitch for the BoSox this season, it’s very doubtful that he will exercise his opt-out.
The news of Giolito’s injury follows quickly on the heels of another rumour indicating that Vaughn Grissom, the key player acquired by the team in exchange for Chris Sale, would miss Opening Day due to a groyne strain. Well, so much for covering the second base gap.
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The Grissom news comes after Liam Hendriks, who the Red Sox knew would not pitch until after the All-Star break, was acquired. He is still recovering from surgery related to Tommy John.
In an attempt to add some infield depth, the Red Sox signed C.J. Cron to a minor league contract last week. He participated in 71 games between the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels in the previous season, although he missed the majority of them due to back problems.
The Red Sox added veteran Roberto Perez in an attempt to strengthen the catching position back in December. With a career hitting average of.207 and an OPS of.655, the 35-year-old backstop is not much better than first-stringer Connor Wong, who has a career average of.231, a career OPS of.670.