Kutter Crawford Provides Update on Wednesday's Injury Scare

Only 12 games into the 2024 season, the Boston Red Sox have already faced an injury bug in the clubhouse. Luckily, it appears the team dodged a bullet after another scare involving starting pitcher Kutter Crawford.

Crawford appeared to tweak his knee at first base on an inning-ending ground ball in the top of the fifth inning, but postgame reports out of the Red Sox clubhouse indicate that he intends to make his next scheduled start in the rotation and will not miss time. The 28-year-old was evaluated by team trainers following the start.

Crawford threw five strong innings in Wednesday night's matchup vs. AL East foe Baltimore Orioles, fanning six batters and only allowing two hits. However, he noticeably came up limping after fielding a toss from first baseman Triston Casas to complete a 1-3 putout in the fifth inning. This would prove to be his final act of the night, as Isaiah Campbell would take the mound for the Sox in the top of the sixth while Boston's bullpen blew a 5-0 lead. Crawford had thrown 86 pitches to that point, so it is arguable if his start might have been over either way. He threw 84 pitches in his first start of the year, and 90 pitches in his second.

Even prior to Opening Day, the Red Sox were hit with significant injuries. Offseason acquisition Lucas Giolito will miss the entire season after undergoing elbow surgery on March 12. Starting shortstop Trevor Story is likely out for the season after suffering a fracture in his shoulder while attempting to make a diving play last Friday night in Anaheim. After news broke that Story's season is almost assuredly over, he was incredibly emotional in addressing reporters on Tuesday.

Most recently, Boston placed starting pitcher Nick Pivetta on the injured list on Tuesday with a right elbow flexor strain. Pivetta's injury is not expected to keep him out for a significant length of time, Manager Alex Cora labeled the injury as "mild" and anticipated that the pitcher would only be unavailable for the minimum IL period.

After a breakthrough 2023 season, Crawford has been dynamite for the Sox so far in his three starts, contributing to the team's historic performance from their starting pitchers through 12 games.

Crawford specifically has thrown 15.2 IP while only allowing one earned run (0.57 ERA) and striking out 18 batters. Needless to say, his absence would have been tough for Boston to cope with.

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