On cusp of return to Sox, Giolito makes final rehab start

After more than two years and three injuries, Lucas Giolito is finally on the cusp of making his Red Sox debut. The likely last hurdle came on Friday in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester.

The right-hander struck out four in 4 2/3 innings against the Syracuse Mets. He gave up three runs on three hits and six walks.

That last number might raise a few eyebrows, but before Giolito took the mound, Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated that this outing would signal the end of his time in the Minors.

“He’s pitching today, and he should be with us in Toronto [next week],” Cora said shortly before Boston’s scheduled game against the Guardians on Friday was postponed due to inclement weather.

It’ll be a long time coming for Giolito, who last took an MLB mound on Oct. 1, 2023, as a member of the Guardians.

He signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox ahead of the 2024 season but ended up sustaining an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in just his second Spring Training start and underwent an internal bracing procedure that forced him to miss the season.

His start this season was delayed to a low grade left hamstring strain that resulted in him starting the season on the injured list. He stayed at three innings or less in his first three rehab starts of the year before throwing 65 pitches in five innings for Double-A Portland on Sunday.

Giolito reached his goal of 85 pitches on Friday, although only 47 were strikes. The six walks -- one shy of his single-game career high in the Majors -- were partly a product of poor fastball command as Giolito threw only 11 of 30 four-seamers in the strike zone. However, he did end his night on a positive note, retiring the final six batters he faced.

Through five rehab starts, the 30-year-old has allowed 10 earned runs on 18 hits in 17 1/3 innings. He has issued 13 walks and struck out 17 batters.

Giolito’s upcoming return marks the final player in this wave of roster reinforcements for the Red Sox. It started with Liam Hendriks, who made his season debut on April 20 after missing two years due to Tommy John surgery. Next up was Brayan Bello, who allowed one run across five innings in his season debut on Tuesday.

While the exact day that Giolito will make his debut is still up in the air (the Red Sox’s pitching plans for the short-term are a bit up in the air due to Saturday’s doubleheader), Giolito’s presence will likely help the team make its decision.

Richard Fitts was filling in admirably in Boston’s rotation, but he went on the injured list earlier this month due to a right pectoral strain.

Boston’s starters have been able to tread water so far this season (their 3.92 ERA was 14th in baseball entering play on Friday), but it’ll be a much more formidable group going forward thanks to the presence of Bello and Giolito.

Walker Buehler struck out nine in his last start, and Garrett Crochet has a 1.95 ERA through six starts.

Tanner Houck, who has limped to a 7.66 ERA so far this season, will get the ball in Game 1 of Boston’s doubleheader against Cleveland on Saturday, while Buehler gets the nod in Game 2.

Sean Newcomb will likely be the odd man out in the rotation once Giolito makes his return. The 31-year-old has a 4.43 ERA in five starts this year, but allowed four runs in five innings his last time out.