Lucas Giolito has reviewed your 2025 Red Sox roster estimates for Opening Day, and he believes many of them require quick adjustment.
Giolito is eager to return to the fold after missing the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. And, while a lot has changed since he signed a two-year contract with Boston last winter, he says he’ll be ready to go when spring training begins, with all eyes on making his debut with the team when the 2025 season begins.
“I’m nearing the end of my recovery and want to start pitching soon. … Giolito announced on Audacy’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast with Rob Bradford, “I’m going to be ready for a full spring training and full season.”
Because of the nature of his injury, along with a Red Sox offseason that saw the club add Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler to the starting rotation, many expected Giolito would require additional time or that Boston would take it slowly with the veteran coming off surgery. Giolito seemed to be unprepared for such a situation.
“I find it funny when I see stuff online that I’ll be coming back in June. I don’t know where that came from,” Giolito quipped. “I have no idea. I asked a lot of people. No one really knows. So at this point, it’s kind of cool, that’s fine, whatever people want to think. Everything’s going great. I look forward to a full year.”
When he is healthy, he is accustomed to taking the ball every five days. However, he recognized that nothing is guaranteed with the talent Boston has added to a rotation that already includes rising stars like Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello.
“If I’m in a position where I need to compete for a rotation spot, I’m ready to do that,” Giolito told reporters. “I haven’t had to do that in a few years. I’ve been incredibly lucky. But, given the talent in our rotation, if they want me to compete for the fifth or sixth slot, that’s OK, but I’ll be prepared.”
If Giolito is actually prepared to pitch and hits the ground running, he will be a huge asset to the Boston rotation. As things stand, he has a good chance of landing the No. 5 place in the rotation, which is one of several ways the rotation might be improved.
