Lucas Giolito faced a crucial decision regarding his elbow injury and opted for a less invasive procedure over Tommy John surgery. This choice means a shorter recovery period, potentially allowing him to return to full strength sooner.
Giolito expressed optimism after waking up from the surgery, noting that the doctors found the procedure went as planned with only a minor repair needed. While the recovery timeline for Tommy John surgery could have extended beyond the 2025 All-Star break, the brace procedure offers a quicker return, possibly within 12 months. Giolito is focused on his rehabilitation and aims to be ready for the 2025 season without any limitations. However, he acknowledges the disappointment of missing the 2024 season with the Red Sox.
Lucas Giolito acknowledged the mental challenge of feeling like he’s letting people down by being injured after signing with the Red Sox to contribute significantly on the mound. Despite feeling good and having a clean start to camp, the elbow injury occurred, leading to his surgery decision. He has sought advice from teammates who have undergone similar procedures to understand what to expect in his recovery.
Speaking about his previous Tommy John surgery as a minor leaguer, Giolito noted that he is in a different stage of his career now. Back then, he was just starting and hoping to begin his baseball career, whereas now, he is an established player who understands what it takes to succeed at the MLB level. He expressed confidence in his ability to heal well and emphasized his trust in the Red Sox’s training and medical staff to help him recover fully.
Craig Breslow, the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, recently praised Justin Slaten for his performance during spring training, noting that Slaten has stood out to him. Slaten, a 26-year-old right-handed pitcher, was acquired by the Red Sox in a trade from the Mets after being selected from the Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft.
Slaten, who must remain on Boston’s active roster for the entire regular season due to his Rule 5 status or be returned to his previous club for $50,000, expressed his satisfaction with his performance and his hope to make the Opening Day roster. He emphasized that he has done everything he can to earn a spot on the team and is prepared for either outcome.
During spring training, Slaten has appeared in five games, allowing just one unearned run, two hits, and one walk while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings. Known for his fastball, which has been mostly 95-96 mph in spring training games, Slaten has also shown improvement with his off-speed pitches, including his slider, cutter, and curveball. He has focused on throwing these pitches in the zone, which has helped him feel less reliant on his fastball and has boosted his confidence on the mound.
