After missing the entirety of the 2024 season due to elbow surgery, Lucas Giolito is making his intentions clear: he plans to be ready for the Boston Red Sox’s Opening Day in 2025. The veteran right-hander, who underwent an internal brace procedure to repair a UCL injury, has expressed confidence in his recovery and is determined to earn his spot in a revamped Red Sox pitching rotation.
“I’ll be ready for a full season”: Giolito’s recovery timeline defies expectations
Lucas Giolito’s journey back to the mound has been closely watched, especially after he underwent the internal brace procedure—a less invasive alternative to the traditional Tommy John surgery—in March 2024. The procedure, known for its shorter recovery timeline, allowed Giolito to progress rapidly in his rehab. Speaking on Rob Bradford’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, Giolito dismissed speculation that he would return midseason in 2025.
“I’m going to be ready for a full Spring Training and a full season,” Giolito affirmed. “I find it funny when I see stuff online saying I’ll be coming back in June. I don’t know where that came from. Everything’s going great. I look forward to a full year.”
Currently training at the Red Sox’s facility in Fort Myers, Florida, Giolito has nearly completed his rehab progression and is set to begin throwing off a mound soon. His recovery has been closely monitored alongside teammate Garrett Whitlock, who underwent the same surgical procedure in May and is on a similar timeline for return.
Competition heats up in Red Sox rotation: Giolito faces a new-look staff
The Red Sox have been active this offseason, bolstering their pitching staff with acquisitions like Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler. These moves, combined with the emergence of younger talents such as Brayan Bello and Tanner Houck, create a competitive environment for rotation spots heading into 2025. Giolito, however, is unshaken by the challenge.
“If I’m in a position where I need to compete for a rotation spot, I’m ready to do that,” Giolito stated confidently. “That’s not something I’ve had to do for a few years. I’ve been very lucky. But considering the talent we have in our rotation, if I’m competing for the fifth or sixth spot, however they want to do it, great, but I’ll be ready.”
Boston’s projected rotation for 2025 includes newcomers Buehler and Crochet alongside returning pitchers like Houck, Bello, and Kutter Crawford. While Crawford made all 33 starts in 2024, he struggled with consistency, leading the league in home runs allowed (34). Giolito, with his track record as a reliable starter, could be a crucial piece in stabilizing the staff.
From 2019 to 2021, Giolito was among the league’s best, posting a 3.47 ERA across 72 starts and earning Cy Young votes in each of those seasons. Though his performance dipped in 2023, with a 4.88 ERA across 184 1/3 innings for three teams, his durability and experience make him a valuable asset as he aims to reclaim his form during this “prove-it” year.
What Giolito’s return means for Boston’s postseason aspirations
The Red Sox have overhauled their pitching staff to address inconsistencies that plagued the team in 2024. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has expressed optimism about Giolito’s availability, noting that the team expects him and Whitlock to contribute “for the bulk of 2025 if not all of it.” Breslow also confirmed that reliever Liam Hendriks, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will be fully available for Spring Training, further strengthening the club’s depth.
Giolito’s ability to pitch a full season could shape Boston’s postseason hopes. The team holds a $14 million club option for Giolito in 2026, which converts to a $19 million mutual option if he logs at least 140 innings in 2025. Given his history of making 29 or more starts in five consecutive seasons before 2024, this benchmark appears achievable if he remains healthy.
For Giolito, 2025 represents a chance to reestablish himself as one of MLB’s most dependable starters and to solidify his place in a competitive Red Sox rotation. “When I’ve been healthy, I’ve always taken the ball every five days,” Giolito said. “That’s the expectation I have for myself this season. I’m ready to contribute and help this team win.”
Beyond his individual aspirations, Giolito’s return could be a turning point for a Red Sox team looking to regain its footing in the AL East. With a strengthened pitching core, the team is poised to challenge rivals like the Yankees and Blue Jays for a postseason berth. Giolito’s leadership and veteran presence could be instrumental in guiding younger pitchers like Bello and Houck through the grind of a 162-game schedule.
Looking ahead: Giolito and the Red Sox in 2025
As Spring Training approaches, all eyes will be on Lucas Giolito’s performance and health. The Red Sox are banking on his successful recovery and his ability to round out a rotation that has the potential to be one of the strongest in the league. If Giolito can recapture the form that made him a Cy Young candidate in the past, Boston’s investment in him will pay dividends.
With Giolito’s emphatic declaration of readiness, the Red Sox’s rotation depth offers not just options but also an opportunity to build a staff capable of carrying the team deep into October. For Boston fans, Giolito’s comeback story could be one of the highlights of the 2025 season—and a key factor in the team’s quest to return to postseason glory.
