Garrett Crochet hit the injured list on April 29 (retroactive to April 26) when the Boston Red Sox's rotation was already in a bad way. Sonny Gray was on the IL with a hamstring strain and depth starters Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval and Tyler Uberstine were all out of action with different injuries.
No matter who else is out, and even if no one else was hurt, losing Crochet for any amount of time is a brutal result for the "run prevention" Red Sox. They initially hoped Crochet would be able to return from his stint with shoulder inflammation after the minimum 15 days, but they've had no such luck. His stint could've ended around May 11, had he been healthy soon enough.
But Crochet is still working towards returning to the Sox's rotation as soon as possible. He threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on May 13 (subscription required). He's expected to throw another longer session over the weekend.
Crochet did not provide an updated timeline for his return when he spoke to reporters after his first bullpen — he said missing the first estimated return date put him in a "weird place mentally" (via Tim Healey of The Boston Globe). But Crochet is hoping to get back into game action sooner by skipping a rehab assignment, as Gray did with his hamstring injury. The ace admitted that the decision is not up to him, however, and interim manager Chad Tracy and others still have to assess his progress.
Garrett Crochet hopes to return from shoulder injury without a rehab assignment, but Red Sox shouldn't let that happen
Passing on a rehab assignment isn't the best idea for Crochet. Gray skipped one because he was only on the IL for the minimum stint. Crochet has experienced setbacks or a slower recovery time than orignally anticipated, and it makes sense for the Red Sox to be as cautious as possible with their ace.
After his most recent start, Crochet told reporters that he felt he lost strength in his shoulder "during the build-up," which could mean during spring training. He also noted that he skipped a spring training start, which could've foreshadowed his current injury. The Red Sox should take every measure possible to ensure Crochet is fully healthy when he returns to the mound in the big leagues.
Boston has more than enough pitching depth to continue covering for Crochet while he recovers. Payton Tolle has been an excellent addition to the rotation, Gray is back and better than he's been all season and Ranger Suarez didn't need an IL stint for his hamstring issue. Jake Bennett is also in Triple-A, ready to be called back whenever the Sox might need him.
It's a relief to hear that Crochet is progressing well through his rehab but it makes no sense for the Red Sox to rush him back into the rotation when he hasn't looked like himself so far this year (6.30 ERA) and when he's so important to Boston's success.
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