MLB Rumors: Red Sox's Lucas Giolito Could Miss 2024 Season with Elbow Injury

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito reportedly could miss the entire 2024 season due to an elbow injury.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, initial imaging showed Tuesday that Giolito likely has a partially torn UCL and flexor strain, which could require surgery and force him to miss the upcoming campaign.

MLB.com's Ian Browne reported Tuesday Giolito felt discomfort in his elbow following his most recent spring start on Friday, and he is considered doubtful for the start of the regular season.

Per Browne, Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed some uneasiness regarding Giolito's status moving forward, saying: "We're obviously concerned. Not a good day for us."

Boston has been relatively quiet this offseason, much to the chagrin of its fanbase, but signing Giolito was one of the organization's biggest moves.

The Red Sox inked the 29-year-old veteran to a two-year, $38.5 million contract in hopes that he could potentially replace the production lost from trading veteran starter Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves.

Giolito is an eight-year MLB veteran who previously played for the Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians.

From 2019 through 2021, Giolito was among the best pitchers in the American League, finishing 11th or better in the Cy Young Award voting in each season.

His best year came in 2019 when he went 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a career-high 228 strikeouts in 176.2 innings. He was also named an All-Star for the first and only time.

The 2023 campaign was a nomadic one for Giolito, as he spent time with the White Sox, Angels and Guardians. Overall, he made a career-high 33 starts, going 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 204 strikeouts over 184.1 innings.

Given their decision to trade Sale, Giolito was in line to potentially serve as the Red Sox's ace in 2024, but that possibility is now very much in question.

The uncertainty surrounding Giolito could potentially push the Red Sox to get more aggressive when it comes to signing one of the best-remaining free-agent starting pitchers on the market.

Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is still available, as is Jordan Montgomery, who won the World Series last season with the Texas Rangers.

Montgomery, who previously pitched for the rival New York Yankees, has reportedly been on Boston's radar recently.

The Red Sox have reportedly been in contact with Montgomery, and WEEI's Rob Bradford reported last month that the organization was "prioritizing" Montgomery over other additions, and was simply waiting for the price to come down.

If Giolito's injury prompts the Red Sox to sign Montgomery, it would be a big move for them since the big lefty went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA last season and would be more than capable of stepping into the ace role.