Lucas Giolito is officially back, and the Boston Red Sox are ready to restore their pitching rotation to full strength. After a long road to recovery, the veteran right-hander is set to make his highly anticipated return to the mound, bringing much-needed stability to a rotation that has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency.
### Giolito’s Journey Back
Giolito’s return has been a long time coming. After missing the entire 2024 season due to an elbow injury that required an internal brace procedure, he faced another setback in March 2025 with a hamstring strain. These injuries kept him sidelined for over a year, delaying his debut with the Red Sox after signing a **two-year, $38.5 million contract** with the team.
Despite struggles during his rehab assignments—posting a **5.19 ERA in five starts** across **Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester**—the Red Sox remain confident in his ability to contribute. Manager **Alex Cora** emphasized that the team is prioritizing his health over his minor league stats, stating, *“We trust the player. We trust the track record. He’s healthy and ready to go.”*
### Impact on the Red Sox Rotation
Boston’s rotation has been in flux due to injuries to key starters like **Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford**. While **Hunter Dobbins and Richard Fitts** have stepped up in their absence, Giolito’s return provides much-needed experience and depth. His presence allows the Red Sox to return to their original rotation plan, which
