Entering this 2025 season, the Boston Red Sox thought they would see a large body of work out of starter Kutter Crawford, who threw over 120 innings the past two seasons (2024,2023). He has started 69 games for Boston over four seasons, and has a career 4.56 ERA, but 2025 was expected to be his breakout season.
However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora delivered some devastating news today that Kutter Crawford will likely not pitch for the remainder of this season due to a wrist injury. Here is what Red Sox reporter Sean McAdam said via X:
âRHP Kutter Crawford will undergo what will likely be season-ending surgery on his right wrist. Stemmed from something off the field, which Red Sox wouldnât specify, but Alex Cora said it was an âaccident,â and not irresponsible behavior.â
Truly an unfortunate blow to the Red Sox starting rotation, which has not performed at a high level this season besides southpaw Garrett Crochet. Boston took a flyer on Walker Buehler before the season by signing him to a one-year, $21 million contract. Buehler has a 6.29 ERA over 63 innings. Tanner Houck, a 2024 All-Star, hasnât pitched since early April.
Why the Kutter Crawford Injury Hurts Boston
The Kutter Crawford hurts the Boston Red Sox in terms of rotation depth. Crawford had a 4.36 ERA last season, but at least Boston knew they could get some length out of him, although he would give up his fair share of runs.
What was first a knee injury for Crawford turned into an off-the-field incident.
Even Cora issued the sentiment today while delivering the news that it sucks because the Red Sox had a deep starting rotation before the season. This marks starter number 3, which isnât quite working out behind Walker Buehler and Tanner Houck.
So for now, Crawford will miss the 2025 season, and Boston hopes he will have a whole winter rehab process and be ready for the beginning of next season.
Other Red Sox news
In some other Boston Red Sox news, Cora also announced that it is likely third baseman Alex Bregman will not return before the All-Star break. While this news was sort of expected, after Boston traded Rafael Devers, they could certainly use the boost from Bregman, who went down with a hamstring injury back in May.
Considering that the Red Sox have had such bad injury news lately and bad trade luck, it begs the question of how active they will be at MLBâs trade deadline. Boston is 40-41, but is just a few games out of a Wild Card spot. They have been flirting with the .500 line for about a week now, but if they acquire a solid starter, and maybe one more bat + adding Bregman next month, they might be able to make a run in August/September. Itâs still unknown if they will be buyers or sellers as the end of July looms.
The Crawford news is certainly quite devastating for the team, and it will be interesting to see how Boston handles its roster in the next few weeks.
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