KANSAS CITY -- Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet continues to pass all health checkpoints in his quest to return from the injured list. The latest was a two-inning bullpen session on Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium, marking the third time he’s thrown off the mound in the last week.
Regaining his mechanics hasn’t been as easy for the power lefty. Even for one of the top pitchers in the game, it isn’t like riding a bike for someone who threw his last pitch in a game on April 25 before getting shut down with shoulder inflammation.
“It's just a specific feel,” said Crochet. “It’s a lot of timing in the delivery. I feel like I've been trying to hit a certain amount of checkpoints in my delivery, and I've kind of got way too much going on. Right now, just trying to simplify it, create a good foundation from the first move of my delivery, and then just let the arm follow along.”
There are still several steps for Crochet to take before he is activated by the Red Sox. The first will come in the next two to three days at Fenway Park when he throws an abbreviated side session, something akin to what a pitcher throws in between starts.
By early next week, Crochet could be ready to take another important step -- facing hitters. He acknowledged he will have to do that exercise more than once.
After that checkpoint is cleared, Crochet will either make a Minor League rehab start or be activated by the Red Sox.
Given the steps needed, Crochet’s activation isn’t likely to come until the first or second week of June.
“I feel like everyone that goes on the IL, it's always a little longer than they want it to be, and I’m not exempt from that, I suppose,” Crochet said. “It's definitely taken longer than I had hoped it would when I initially went on the IL, but it's part of it. Right now, I’m just trying to be a good cheerleader. That’s really about it.”
Fortunately for Crochet, he’s had a lot to cheer about. Rotation members Sonny Gray, Payton Tolle, Ranger Suarez and Connelly Early have formed a strong quartet during Crochet’s absence. In 17 May games, Boston has a 2.53 ERA, which is second in MLB. The staff has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 13 of those games.
“It’s been incredible,” said Crochet. “Everyone kind of knew it back in spring. Tolle and Earle were both going to be called upon at some point. Obviously, Early broke camp with us, and then Tolle got called up, and hasn't really looked back. Sonny has been great since he’s been off the IL. Ranger has looked phenomenal, as well.”
Crochet looks forward to getting back to do his part. And interim manager Chad Tracy looks forward to having Crochet pitch in his rotation for the first time.
“He felt good,” Tracy said of Crochet’s session on Wednesday. “That was the most important part, at least physically. I know he's still working through some things mechanically and feels and things like that. The pitch quality, he wants to be better, but every time he gets through one and feels physically good and doesn't feel any discomfort, that's a good thing.”