Morning Sports Update
“It has taken a little bit longer than I had originally hoped, but today was a good day.”
Garrett Crochet pitching for the Red Sox in April. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
May 14, 2026 | 11:09 AM
3 minutes to read
A Garrett Crochet injury update: After being placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation in late April, Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet has been trying to work his way back.
But as the 26-year-old acknowledged to reporters on Wednesday, the process has required a little more patience than he originally expected. Crochet took a step forward, throwing off a mound for the first time since the injury in a 20-pitch bullpen session prior to the game against the Phillies. The next step is set to be another slightly longer session over the weekend followed by facing live batters prior to a potential return to the rotation.
“It has taken a little bit longer than I had originally hoped, but today was a good day,” Crochet explained, according to MassLive.
While he noted that it’s not entirely his decision, Crochet also said he isn’t planning on taking a rehab start, and doesn’t want to “waste innings on a rehab assignment when I feel like I can contribute.”
Of the injury itself, Crochet admitted it was a little perplexing.
“It was weird,” he said. “Bad mechanics led to compromising my shoulder. It’s a mix of the two right now, trying to clean up my mechanics while also getting the shoulder back to feeling good.”
As for a return date, that’s still up in the air.
“We tried to do that early on, and I feel it puts you in a weird space mentally if you don’t meet it. It makes you feel like you let the team down,” Crochet said Wednesday of a timeline, per The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey. “But just trying to get back to getting [healthy], so then I can help. That’s ultimately kind of my viewpoint on it right now. It’s not as quick as I can get back. It’s as quick as I get back and be useful.”
Trivia: Garrett Crochet is one of four Red Sox pitchers have led the majors in strikeouts over the course of a season in the 21st century. Can you name the other three?
(Answer at the bottom)
Hint: The initials are PM, HN, CS.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 3-1 on Wednesday. The two teams play again this evening at Fenway Park at 6:45 p.m.
Also from Wednesday, the Revolution lost to Nashville SC 3-0 at Gillette Stadium. New England will host Minnesota United on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
And on Friday, Legacy FC will face Bay FC in San Jose at 10 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
The decisive home run: Though not exactly on a record home run pace, the Red Sox got a timely two-run shot from pinch hitter Ceddanne Rafaela in the win over the Phillies.
NEED A BIG HIT? CALL CEDDY!
CEDDANNE RAFAELA PINCH HIT 2-RUN HR pic.twitter.com/v2fCtpA40A
— NESN (@NESN) May 14, 2026
On this day: In 1981, Larry Bird and the Celtics won the NBA title, defeating the Rockets 102-91 to clinch the championship in six games. And while Bird drew much of the attention with his all-around dominance, Cedric Maxwell led Boston in scoring and won Finals MVP.
Daily highlight: Willson Contreras made a pair of nice defensive plays in the Red Sox win on Wednesday.
ANOTHER nice defensive grab by Contreras here 😱
Even had to his Bryce Harper with the Mutombo finger wag ☝️ https://t.co/HHqefjviq8 pic.twitter.com/9cUmy9Ah9H
— NESN (@NESN) May 14, 2026
Trivia answer: Pedro Martinez, Hideo Nomo, Chris Sale
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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