Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito will undergo right elbow surgery on Tuesday, potentially ending his first season with the team before it even begins. Manager Alex Cora confirmed the development to reporters on Monday. The decision comes after Giolito traveled to Alabama last week to get a second opinion from Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas. “The extent of it, we don’t know yet,” Cora was quoted as saying by MLB.com. “We know it’s with the ligament. So we’ll know more tomorrow when they go in. The type of surgery, we don’t know yet.”
This will be the second major right-elbow surgery for the 29-year-old Giolito. The right-hander had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 31, 2012, less that two months after Washington made him the top overall pick in the 2012 amateur draft. Giolito reached the majors in 2016 with Washington. He was an All-Star in 2019 while pitching for the Chicago White Sox and has been reliable during his big league career, throwing at least 160 innings in five of the past six seasons.
Giolito, who signed a $38.5 million, two-year deal with the Red Sox, made two starts in spring training. He tossed a pair of scoreless innings in his first outing before reporting discomfort in the elbow after getting tagged for four runs and three walks in 2⅓ innings against Minnesota on March 1. With the surgery now scheduled, the Red Sox will have to find a way to fill the void left by Giolito in their starting rotation. This unexpected setback will certainly challenge the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Rehabilitation and Future Outlook
Following the surgery, Giolito will have to focus on his rehabilitation process, aiming to return to full health and strength. The road to recovery can be long and arduous, but with his experience and determination, Giolito will likely work hard to get back on the field as soon as possible. The future remains uncertain for Giolito and the Red Sox as they navigate the challenges of his injury and plan for the rest of the season without his contributions on the mound.
Overall, the news of Lucas Giolito undergoing right elbow surgery is a significant blow to both the player and the Boston Red Sox. The impact of his absence in the upcoming season will be felt by the team, and they will have to adjust their plans accordingly. As Giolito faces another major surgery, his resilience and dedication to his recovery will be put to the test. Only time will tell how he will bounce back from this setback and if he will be able to return to form on the baseball diamond.
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