BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have been ravaged by injuries to their pitching staff, at one point seeing as many as six members of their starting rotation depth hit the injured list: None more important than 2025 Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet, who was placed on the 15-day IL with left shoulder inflammation. Now, 16 days after landing on the injured list, Crochet took the next step as he works his way back to a major league mound.

Crochet was seen throwing on the field ahead of Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Boston interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters ahead of Monday’s loss that Crochet had thrown out to 120 feet on Sunday and played catch off a mound.

Now, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne, the 26-year-old lefty threw a 20-pitch bullpen ahead of Wednesday night’s game two against Philadelphia, marking the most encouraging step in the ace’s return to a big league mound.

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Crochet was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 29, initially telling reporters that he planned to return after just the 15-day minimum. Those 15 days came and went on Tuesday as Crochet was not activated off the injured list, and while the left-hander has taken a big step, it appears he is still a ways away from a potential return.

Crochet got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, posting a 6.30 ERA in 30 innings of work across six starts, including the worst start of his major league career against the Minnesota Twins. He appeared to have turned a corner in his last outing before landing on the injured list, a six-inning shutout effort in the Red Sox’s 17-1 beatdown of the Baltimore Orioles, which capped off the Alex Cora era.

However, he was placed on the injured list after.

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As Crochet nears a return, the Red Sox will have a decision to make with their rotation. Boston’s rotation, as currently constructed, consists of Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, and Brayan Bello. Just 10 days ago, Bello seemed to be the logical man to lose his spot. Now, after two solid performances coming in after an opener, paired with the success that Tolle has seen in his four starts, that conversation becomes more difficult.

Has Bello done enough in his relief appearances to maintain his role? Has Tolle shown enough improvement with his secondary pitches to warrant staying in the major league rotation? How much does Bello factor into Boston’s future plans? These are all questions Craig Breslow and the pitching department will have to answer as their big lefty inches closer to a return.

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The Red Sox and Phillies will be back at it on Wednesday night in game two of the three-game series at Fenway Park. Gray will get the start for Boston opposite one of Philadelphia’s top prospects, 23-year-old Andrew Painter. First pitch set for 6:45 p.m. ET.

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