Boston Red Sox interim manager gave a handful of injury updates ahead of the Red Sox series opener against the Orioles.
BOSTON -- Coming off an off day on Monday, Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy gave several injury updates on key members of the Red Sox roster ahead of Tuesday night's series opener against the Orioles. Here's what you need to know:
Garrett Crochet
Tracy told reporters ahead of Sunday's win in Cleveland that the 26-year-old lefty would not make his scheduled live batting practice on Tuesday as scheduled after experiencing tightness in his LAT after throwing one inning of live BP earlier in the week.
According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, Crochet underwent an MRI on his back on Tuesday and is still awaiting the results. Speier noted that although Crochet has no back pain, he is still experiencing tightness.
Crochet has been on the injured list since April 29 with left shoulder inflammation.
Garrett Whitlock
The Red Sox' highest leverage righty landed on the 15-day injured list ahead of last Thursday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves with left knee inflammation after slipping on the mound during the May 24 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Whitlock threw a side session on Tuesday afternoon, where he felt good. The 29-year-old is hoping to return to the Boston bullpen when he's first eligible on June 9.
Patrick Sandoval
After being returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester in mid-April thanks to left bicep tightness, left-handed starter Patrick Sandoval is finally back on a mound.
According to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, Sandoval threw off the mound and completed some pitcher fielding practice on Tuesday afternoon. He is expected to be sent back out on a rehab assignment, throwing one inning for Triple-A Worcester on Friday night.
Sandoval has not appeared in a major league game since July 2024 after undergoing an internal brace procedure as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a two-year, $18.25 million deal with Boston in December of 2024 while recovering from the surgery.
Kutter Crawford
The 30-year-old Crawford experienced right forearm tightness after his first rehab appearance with Worcester on April 14, causing Boston to return him from the assignment for additional imaging, which revealed inflammation.
Crawford began throwing again in late April, but according to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr, he is still feeling tightness in his forearm, leading the Red Sox to scale him back yet again.
Crawford hasn't appeared in a major league game since his breakout 2024 campaign after missing the entirety of the 2025 season after undergoing right wrist surgery.
Romy Gonzalez
Finally, Gonzalez was seen tracking pitches off a pitching machine on Tuesday afternoon. According to Cerullo, Tracy told reporters that Gonzalez has begun swinging in the cages. The 29-year-old utility man has missed Boston's first 58 games of the 2026 campaign after undergoing left shoulder surgery in early March.
The Red Sox will kick off a three-game series at Fenway Park with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night. Connelly Early (5-2, 2.95 ERA) gets the start for Boston opposite Shane Baz (2-5, 4.48 ERA) for Baltimore. First pitch set for 6:45 p.m. ET.
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