Starting pitching depth was one of the Boston Red Sox's greatest strengths at the beginning of the 2026 campaign, but their luck is seemingly starting to turn. Johan Oviedo was recently placed on the 60-day injured list, Garrett Crochet's velocity was down in his last outing against the Minnesota Twins, and although he attests he's healthy, there's still room for concern.
Even recovering Red Sox starters are going through it in April. Kutter Crawford's rehab stint has been paused because the righty has experienced soreness in his elbow.
Alex Cora described Crawford's soreness as "mild" and he is not scheduled to undergo imaging for the issue. Boston hopes to resume his rehab assignment from where he left off next week.
Red Sox pause Kutter Crawford's rehab assignment due to "mild" elbow soreness
Crawford made one rehab start with the WooSox before his elbow started acting up. He allowed five runs on six hits, including three home runs, with five strikeouts and a walk over three innings. Crawford hadn't pitched in a game since 2024, so he's understandably quite rusty, but he'll be a valuable bullpen option for the Red Sox when he's healthy.
Red Sox dodge a bullet with Willson Contreras back injury update
Just as the Red Sox dodged another long-term injury bullet with Crawford, they seem to have done so with Willson Contreras. Boston pulled the first baseman from its April 14 game against the Minnesota Twins due to back tightness.
According to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, Cora and the Red Sox are "confident" that Contreras won't need an IL stint for his back issues. Cora will give the catcher-turned-first baseman two days off and he expects him to be ready to play by Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers.
A few days off for Contreras is the best possible outcome for Boston. Contreras has been incredible for the Red Sox in the early going, with a .298/.444/.491 slash line, three home runs, 11 RBI and elite, 98th percentile defense.
Triston Casas experiences another setback on road to Red Sox return
Like Crawford, the Red Sox have also paused Triston Casas' rehab stint, but the update on him is less positive. As the first baseman was recovering from the ruptured patellar tendon he experienced last season, he reported pain in his abdomen.
Red Sox fans immediately assumed the worst after Casas' 2024 season was limited to 63 games due to a rib cartilage tear. Casas' current abdominal soreness is unrelated to his former rib injury, but he'll still be on the sidelines for quite some time.
Before his latest abdominal injury Casas still had weeks of recovery and a full rehab assignment ahead of his potential return to MLB — although where he fits on the Red Sox's roster is still a complete mystery.
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