$38 Million Red Sox Pitcher Sends Clear Signal to Team Management

The Boston Red Sox are navigating a wave of injuries in their starting rotation early in the season. Brayan Bello is set to make his season debut Tuesday after a shoulder strain sidelined him during spring training. Richard Fitts and Kutter Crawford remain on the injured list with separate issues, while Lucas Giolito continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained on his first pitch of spring training.

Giolito, who signed a two-year, $38.5 million deal with Boston in the 2023 offseason, missed all of 2024 following UCL surgery with internal brace repair. Now, after completing two rehab starts each at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester — including a five-inning outing Sunday where he allowed three runs on six hits and struck out four — the veteran right-hander says he’s ready to return.

“I feel ready to go,” Giolito told MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “Finally hitting the five-inning mark was good, so I feel ready to help contribute in whatever way possible.”

Giolito was efficient in his latest outing, throwing 47 strikes out of 65 pitches. Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised the performance and noted that Giolito is physically in a good place. However, the team hasn’t yet determined whether he’ll make another rehab start or rejoin the big-league roster.

A former All-Star and Cy Young contender during his time with the White Sox, Giolito had a rollercoaster 2023 season, leading the AL in starts — but also in home runs allowed — before being traded to the Angels and later claimed by the Guardians.

Now healthy and eager to contribute, Giolito is making it clear to the Red Sox front office that he’s ready to take the mound at Fenway.