The Boston Red Sox rotation has a different look heading into the 2025 season. Acquiring Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox and signing former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler is part of the changes to a group that includes Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford.
With all the moves the Red Sox have made, they have the depth required to compete in the American League East this season. While Boston may view this as a luxury over the course of a 162-game season, a report from spring training suggests they may have to use it sooner than expected.
Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford Could Miss Opening Day
The news came from MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, who reported on Saturday that the Opening Day status of Kutter Crawford and Bryana Bello could be in jeopardy due to injury. Both pitchers have gotten off to a slow start to Spring Training, as Bello has been dealing with a shoulder injury and Crawford is recovering from a knee injury.
Cora on Bello: "I don’t think in a week (he'll be ready for games). He’s not even throwing bullpens." ... Doesn't rule out Opening Day: "We’ll see how it goes next week."
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 22, 2025
On Crawford: "With Kutter, that’s the one it looks like is going to be long. Opening Day, right now, is an… https://t.co/NDs5iHWqJi
Crawford’s situation is the most serious as he recovers from a patellar injury he battled all of last season. While the right-hander made an MLB-high 33 starts, his numbers weren’t as great as they could have been, going 9-16 with a 4.36 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 183.2 innings.
The knee was supposed to recover over the offseason before Crawford aggravated it this winter. After starting behind some of the other starters, Red Sox manager Alex Cora admitted that he could begin the year on the injured list.
"With Kutter, that’s the one it looks like is going to be long," Cora said. "Opening Day, right now, is an ‘if.’ Let’s see what happens."
Bello is also battling injury after tweaking his shoulder coming into camp. The fellow righthander experienced soreness in the shoulder and was held back at the start of Spring Training and still hasn’t advanced to throwing bullpen sessions. While he’s behind schedule, he’s ahead of Crawford, although Cora was still cautious when speaking to Cotillo on Saturday.
"I don’t think in a week [he’ll be ready for games,]" Cora said. "He’s not even throwing bullpens. …We’ll see how it goes next week."
With Zach Penrod also on the shelf with an elbow injury, the Red Sox are tapping into their rotation depth before the season begins. Although Bello could wind up making the Opening Day roster, Crawford’s situation could hint at a prolonged absence, leaving the Red Sox scrambling to fill innings before Boston’s season opener at the Texas Rangers on March 27.