Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (elbow) had his 2025 club option exercised. The right-hander was not able to take the mound last summer after undergoing an internal brace operation in his throwing elbow in March. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during Spring Training as he may be able to return to action during the early part of the 2025 campaign. In 2023, Giolito spent time in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Cleveland and held a cumulative 4.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, with a 73:204 BB:K ratio across 184 1/3 innings of work. Giolito could be a sneaky late-round target this offseason if he is able to return to from during Spring Training.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (elbow) had successful right-elbow UCL repair with internal brace on Tuesday. The procedure was performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Giolito will miss all of the 2024 season as a result, but it's still considered good news overall, as he was able to avoid having the second Tommy John surgery of his career. If everything goes well with his recovery this year and into next offseason, the 29-year-old could have a shot to be ready for Opening Day in 2025 for the BoSox. Giolito was hoping to rebound from a rocky 2023 campaign that saw him pitch for three different teams (White Sox, Angels, Reds), but that will now have to wait until 2025.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (elbow) will have surgery on his right elbow Tuesday afternoon. The extent of the ligament damage isn't known. It's possible Giolito needs Tommy John surgery but he could also require just a brace procedure. Either way, he is most assuredly out for 2024. If he requires Tommy John, it could push his start to the 2025 season back, but if it's the brace procedure, he could be ready by the time the offseason comes around. Last week it was reported the 29-year-old had a partial tear in his UCL and a flexor strain, so the news has been bleak recently. He should now be avoided by all redraft leagues. Even in dynasty leagues, it could be time to move on, as Giolito hasn't posted a respectable ERA, FIP or WHIP since 2021. His strikeout potential is what he has to hang his hat on.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (elbow) will have a second opinion on Monday from Dr. Dugas in Alabama. Manager Alex Cora said that surgery is a possibility, but the team will know more next week. Dugas is the same doctor that did Garrett Whitlock's Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old is dealing with a partially torn UCL and flexor strain in his right elbow and is probably going to be forced to miss all of the 2024 season, especially if he undergoes Tommy John surgery. It's a big blow to Boston's starting rotation before the start of the year. To say the least, fantasy managers should be avoiding Giolito in upcoming fantasy drafts. His 2023 season was a disaster, pitching for three different teams and posting a 4.88 ERA.
Lucas Giolito Could Miss Entire Season With Partially Torn UCL
Feeling discomfort after his last spring outing, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (elbow) was checked out, and imaging showed that he likely has a partially torn UCL and a flexor strain. Giolito may need surgery, which would mean he'd miss the entire season. The former first-round draft pick signed with Boston in the offseason, and after the departure of Chris Sale, leaves Boston very thin in their starting rotation.
Lucas Giolito Plans To Fix Mechanics Going Into 2024 Season
Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito has a plan to fix what has plagued him on the mound for the better part of the last two years and is eager to work alongside Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey in 2024. It didn't help that Giolito spent time with three teams -- the Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds -- and went through a divorce this past season. He'll be looking for a bounce-back year in Beantown after signing a two-year, $38.5 million deal this offseason with the Red Sox. Giolito had a 7.04 ERA in his final six starts and hasn't been the same pitcher that was a Cy Young candidate from 2019-21. The 29-year-old remained durable, though, and he's had 200 strikeouts twice in the last three years. It won't be easy at Fenway Park or in the tough American League East, but if Giolito tightens up his mechanics and stays healthy, he could be a fine value pick in fantasy drafts.
Free-agent right-hander Lucas Giolito and the Boston Red Sox agreed on a two-year, $38.5 million deal on Friday that includes an opt-out clause after the first season, according to sources. With the move, the pitching-needy Red Sox have their first big signing of the winter. It's probably not the best landing spot for a former Cy Young contender looking for a bounce-back season in 2024, but the 29-year-old will still be plenty attractive at a discounted price in fantasy drafts in the spring after he went 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA (5.27 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP while walking 73 and striking out 204 in 184 1/3 innings over 33 starts with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians. Giolito really struggled in the second half after being sent to the Angels at the trade deadline. He allowed a league-high 41 home runs last year, too, but there's still a lot to like given the fact he's had 200-plus K's in three of the last four full seasons.
The Boston Red Sox have "remained engaged" with free-agent starting pitcher Lucas Giolito along with many other clubs, per MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo. Despite his proven upside, the 29-year-old posted his second consecutive poor season with the White Sox, Angels, and Guardians, going 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 25.7% strikeout rate in 33 starts. Starting pitching was an issue for the Red Sox last season, so they, along with other teams will be hoping that Giolito can return to his 2019-21 form. While he has turned in higher-end seasons in his career, fantasy managers may want to take a wait-and-see approach to Giolito this season to see if he can return to form before placing trust in him.
Royals Showing Interest in Marcus Stroman, Lucas Giolito
The Kansas City Royals are showing interest in free agent starters Marcus Stroman and Lucas Giolito. Stroman became a free agent when he opted out of his contract with the Cubs in early November after working to a 3.95 ERA across 27 outings (25 starts) with the club in 2023. He has long been one of the game's most reliable starters, working to a career 3.65 ERA in 231 appearances with a sub-4.00 ERA in each of the last four campaigns. As for Giolito, the right-hander endured an uneven 2023 season split between the White Sox, Angels, and Guardians as he posted a 4.88 ERA across 33 starts. He received Cy Young votes from 2019-2021 with a 3.53 ERA or better in each of those seasons but has scuffled over the last two campaigns.
Free-agent right-hander Lucas Giolito is drawing interest on the open market from the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals. The sweepstakes for Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani could impact Giolito's destination for next season. The 29-year-old had a 4.88 ERA in 2023 with a 1.31 WHIP, 204 strikeouts and 73 walks over 184 1/3 innings for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians while tying for a league-best 33 starts. Giolito has had a couple disappointing seasons in 2022 and 2023 after being an American League Cy Young contender from 2019-21. He still has plenty of strikeout upside and could be an intriguing bounce-back candidate if he lands in the right situation.
Lucas Giolito
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Red Sox
