BOSTON -- Lefty Garrett Crochet is closing in on his months-long pursuit of getting back on the mound in time to help the Red Sox for their upcoming playoff run.
For the first time in nearly four months, Crochet threw live batting practice on Tuesday afternoon, throwing 16 pitches to teammate Ceddanne Rafaela. He got up to 96 mph with his fastball.
The session took place exactly one week before the Red Sox will play Game 1 of an American League Wild Card Series, likely at Yankee Stadium.
“I would say the way that live just went, that I could go get outs,” Crochet said. “It depends obviously what role they want me in. It's not really for me to say. I know myself, and I know my body, and the biggest thing was that I felt good out there. Felt like I was able to ramp up intensity to a place that I haven't gone yet.
“Tomorrow is going to be a big deal, seeing how I recover. But you know, ultimately, it'll be up to [chief baseball officer] Craig [Breslow] and [manager Chad Tracy] what they think based on what they just saw.”
Crochet, who would join the Red Sox as a short-inning reliever for the postseason, will throw again this weekend.
The question is this: In what setting?
There are essentially two options. Crochet could throw another live BP or pitch in one of the final games of the regular season.
“It's whatever Craig thinks is right,” Crochet said. “This team's had a great year. I think that for me to take a spot on the roster, someone would have to lose one. I would feel bad doing that because this team's pitched their ass off the whole season. Ultimately, that’s something that's coming up to the front office, and whenever they gauge that I'm ready, then I'll accept that. In the meantime, I'm just gonna keep working my butt off.”
“The velocity's climbing,” Tracy said. “I was watching from behind. The spins looked sharp. So we're making progress, which is good.”
The last time Crochet pitched in a game was April 25, when he beat the Orioles. Just days later, he went down with a bout of left shoulder inflammation that set him back months.
One option is that the Red Sox stay cautious with Crochet and keep him off the roster for the Wild Card Series in hopes they advance to the Division Series.
“I just know that whatever it is, it’s going to be done with Garrett's best interest in mind, making sure that we're doing it right,” Tracy said. “What is he able to accomplish this week, and what does the playoffs require? And deciding, can he fit that role or not based on what he's done? So, it’s hard to say again until we get through this weekend and see what he's able to do. But he is making good progress, which is great to see.”