'Pumped' Crochet ready for Opening Day after impressive final tuneup

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox were plenty excited about Garrett Crochet before he even got to Spring Training.

The lefty was just as enthusiastic about joining the team that acquired him from the White Sox for four prospects.

Five dominant Grapefruit League starts later, both sides can’t wait to get it going for real on Thursday in Texas.

In his last tuneup before Opening Day, Boston’s new ace fired 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Pirates, walking two and punching out nine in a 2-1 Red Sox win on Friday at JetBlue Park.

His final Spring Training stat line included a 0.57 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 15 2/3 innings.

“I'm pumped for [Opening Day],” said Crochet. “I'm really excited and feeling good.”

Crochet’s one critique of his Spring Training performance? A lack of efficiency. He attributed that to a changeup he tried to develop.

“I don't exactly have a ton of business throwing those, and it's not something that's necessarily vital to my mix, but something that I would have liked to get going,” Crochet said. “Obviously, I didn't. But that's kind of what hurt the efficiency overall.”

No worries, though. Crochet has a three-pitch mix that is, well, lethal.

“The four-seam, sinker, cutter combo today felt really good,” Crochet said. “And things could have gone [poorly] today, but as long as those three felt good, I'd feel really confident going into Opening Day. Obviously, things went well. So there’s a little added confidence there. “

The 25-year-old will be with the Red Sox through the end of the 2026 season. Unless an extension is reached before that, he will then enter free agency.

Crochet had expressed a willingness to explore long-term talks with Boston this spring, but it doesn’t appear that the sides found common ground. He had said earlier in camp he didn’t want to negotiate during the season.

Given the chance to handicap the chances he would sign a contract before he takes the ball in Texas, Crochet politely declined.

“I think that right now, we're just kind of looking forward to getting through the season,” Crochet said.

For the first time in a while, the Red Sox have a true ace who will help them get through the season.

Catcher Connor Wong is thoroughly enjoying the view behind home plate.

“It’s special stuff,” Wong said. “Obviously, he has super talent. But I think what's more interesting is his work ethic and his attention to detail. Being on the other side, you knew he just had very nasty [stuff]. But he takes a lot of time working on it and preparing and he has a really good idea of what he wants to do.”

The rough plan was for Crochet to go six innings in his spring finale, but manager Alex Cora pulled him at the 90-pitch mark.

“Now, he’s ready for Thursday,” Cora said. “They put together some good at-bats and they got some hits. But when you have stuff like that, you can get some swings and misses and get out of innings.”

Fitts wins fourth spot
While the Red Sox continue to talk through their remaining roster moves, Cora revealed one decision after Friday’s game.

Richard Fitts will break camp as the team’s fourth starter and take the ball against the Rangers on March 30.

The righty was strong in a four-start cameo at the end of last season and had an impressive camp, notching a 2.45 ERA in five outings. Fitts will pitch Monday’s exhibition game in Monterrey, Mexico, against the Sultans.

It remains to be seen how long Fitts will remain in the rotation. Brayan Bello (right shoulder inflammation) and Lucas Giolito (low grade left hamstring strain) are expected to miss two to three starts to open the season. Kutter Crawford, who led the team in starts and innings last season, will likely miss at least the first month as he battles back from a right knee injury.

The fifth spot is likely between lefty Sean Newcomb and Quinn Priester. Both of those pitchers will work in Minor League games on Tuesday.

Story should be back shortly
Originally scheduled to be in Friday night’s lineup, shortstop Trevor Story was scratched with low back tightness. Cora said the veteran is expected to return on Saturday in Port Charlotte against the Rays.

Story missed a couple of games earlier this spring with an upper back issue.