Red Sox leaving Giolito off wild-card roster due to elbow issue
The Boston Red Sox will be without one of their key pitchers for their wild-card series against the New York Yankees.
Right-hander Lucas Giolito is being left off the team's wild-card roster because of an elbow issue, manager Alex Cora announced Monday. The exact nature of his injury wasn't revealed.
Alex Cora announces Lucas Giolito won’t be on Wild Card roster after experiencing elbow discomfort. Had to cut most recent bullpen short. Seeing Dr. Dugas. pic.twitter.com/bQD5ZywKq7
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) September 29, 2025
It's still unclear if Giolito, who missed all of 2024 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn elbow ligament, would be available if the Red Sox advance. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow didn't rule it out but said it's too early to tell as the team is still "information gathering," according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald.
Giolito was lined up to potentially start Game 3 of the wild-card series Thursday if necessary. Cora has yet to name a replacement starter for the potential Game 3, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com.
The 31-year-old Giolito enjoyed a solid comeback season for Boston in 2025, posting a 3.41 ERA, 4.17 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP with 121 strikeouts across 145 innings. His innings total triggered a $19-million mutual option for 2026.
Boston will send ace Garrett Crochet to the mound in Game 1, while Brayan Bello is starting Game 2. Potential candidates to start Game 3 in place of Giolito could include top prospect Connelly Early or left-hander Kyle Harrison.
The Red Sox have yet to announce their full roster for the best-of-three series.