What's happened
Red Sox injuries intensify as Garrett Crochet remains sidelined with a lat strain; Bello struggles on the mound, sending him to Worcester; Jake Bennett is viewed as a potential rotation option while the team slides in the standings. The latest developments keep Boston chasing stabilization and better pitching heading into a tough stretch.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The Red Sox are navigating a pitching crisis that threatens their season trajectory.
- Crochet’s extended absence removes a frontline ace from the rotation, increasing pressure on depth options.
- Bello’s struggles have forced organizational reassessment of his role, with potential shifts toward bullpen or minor-league tuning.
- Bennett’s rising profile could shift the rotation balance if he translates spring promise into sustained big-league performance.
- The team’s current slide in the AL East underscores the urgency for pitching stabilization and consistent run support.
Forecast: Boston will lean on roster experimentation and prospect development to bridge the gap until Crochet returns, while the pitching staff must prove durable enough to halt the skid.
How we got here
A series of pitching injuries and poor performances have hit the Red Sox. Garrett Crochet has been on the injured list since late April with left shoulder inflammation and later lat strain, delaying his return. Bello’s inconsistent season and recent demotion to Triple-A Worcester create rotation questions, while Jake Bennett shows promise after his major league debut.
Our analysis
AP News reports on Bello and Crochet; NY Post coverage on Crochet’s lat strain and Bello’s demotion; MassLive updates on the team’s bullpen and rotation plans.
Go deeper
- Will Garrett Crochet return before the All-Star break?
- Can Jake Bennett establish himself as a reliable rotation option this season?
- How will Bello rebound in Worcester and impact the Sox’s outlook?
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Worcester - City in Massachusetts
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The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the American League East division.
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Garrett Nolan Crochet (; born June 21, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox. Crochet played college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the White Sox with the 11th overall selection of the 2020 MLB draft. He was called up in September 2020 by the White Sox to become the first MLB player in six years to reach the big leagues in the same year in which he was drafted. Crochet was named an All-Star in 2024 and 2025.
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Brayan Bello - Dominican baseball pitcher
Brayan Bello (born May 17, 1999) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 195 pounds (88 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
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