Lucas Giolito offers optimistic update
FORT MYERS, Fla. - When Alex Cora was telling the media assembled across the state in Port St. Lucie that the plan was to start Lucas Giolito on the injured list to start the season, the pitcher in question was playing catch just outside the Red Sox' JetBlue Park clubhouse.
So, when he walked off after the throwing session, the news was a bit of a surprise. Why? Because the left hamstring that had derailed Giolito in his first start of the spring Tuesday, in his mind, had no longer become an issue.
Still, with the understanding that there would need to be proper build-up heading into his first scheduled start - originally slated for the season's second series, in Baltimore - there was a level of understanding.
"Obviously it’s frustrating," Giolito said. "It’s not my decision. I don’t know. I went out and played catch today. Usually I don’t throw on my Day 1 so I didn’t throw yesterday. We were testing it. I went out and threw today and felt 100 percent fine. Completely asymptomatic. I was actually surprised at how good I felt. If I was in charge I would be like, ‘Let’s keep going. Let’s keep pitching.’ I don’t know what the return to play looks like. I’m just going to take it day by day and do what they tell me to do. That’s it."
He added, "If I were in charge I would like to throw a pen tomorrow. I don’t know they want me to do that. Like I said, I’m working in the present so you’re catching me three minutes after playing catch and I felt 100 percent. There’s nothing going on there. Hamstrings, I’ve had them before. They’re very finicky so you have to be careful. But at the same time I’ve never had a hamstring that is this asymptomatic. So it’s a really good sign. I feel good about that."
Giolito reiterated that there was no discomfort at all during his throwing session Thursday. That, however, wouldn't seem to be a development that would make the Red Sox change course regarding the planned IL stint.
Without Giolito at least the first time through the rotation, the Red Sox will be entering the season without three pitchers who were part of the original plan to make up their group of starters, with Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford also sidelined to kick things off.
The two likeliest replacements, who would join Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Tanner Houck, are Richard Fitts and Quinn Priester. Two other potential options are Cooper Criswell and Michael Fulmer. (Criswell can be sent to the minor leagues while Fulmer has an opt-out clause at the end of spring training.)
Overall, the news regarding Giolito seemed to be encouraging, even if it meant a slight delay in his return to the mound.
"The program that we had in place had me making four outings leading into my first game of the regular season. So I don’t know if that pushes it back one five-day cycle. I hope for as little as possible," he said. "Considering how good I felt today I would be like, ‘Let’s keep it going. We can manage.’ I understand the caution. It is what it is.
"I don’t see any sort of setback. Walking away how I just played catch I don’t see any sort of setback. I don’t see any need to slow anything down. As far as what my schedule looks like pitching in games, again, not my decision. But I feel really good and I’m happy with that."