The Boston Red Sox are facing a challenging start to their season, with three of their starting pitchers placed on the injured list. Lucas Giolito, who recently suffered a low-grade left hamstring strain during spring training, joins Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Kutter Crawford (knee) as they prepare for the season opener on March 27 against Texas.

Giolito, who signed a significant two-year, $38.5 million contract with the Red Sox prior to last season, missed all of 2023 due to a partial tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. His previous season stats were less than impressive, with an 8-15 record and a 4.88 ERA across stints with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians. With these injuries, the Red Sox will need to strategize effectively as they look to navigate the early part of the season without their key pitching assets.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito will start the season on the injured list due to a hamstring injury. Manager Alex Cora confirmed that Giolito's participation in Opening Day was uncertain following his departure from a recent outing with the strain.

Further complicating the Red Sox's pitching lineup, Brayan Bello will also miss the beginning of the season due to shoulder soreness, prompting a cautious approach from the team. With both Giolito and Bello unavailable, the team's starting rotation depth is set to face immediate challenges as Kutter Crawford is also sidelined with a knee issue. Cora acknowledged the early tests the team will encounter during the season's start.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Kutter Crawford is facing a knee injury as spring training begins, causing him to lag behind his peers. Despite the setback, there's optimism he could be ready for Opening Day. Concurrently, fellow pitcher Brayan Bello is recovering from minor shoulder soreness and has returned to throwing after a brief shutdown. Crawford's role for the upcoming season remains uncertain, with potential options including being a multi-inning relief pitcher or part of a six-man rotation alongside Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and others, to manage their workloads.

Last season, Crawford logged 33 starts with a 4.36 ERA and 175 strikeouts, but his 16 losses were the highest in the league. With the Red Sox adding some promising talent in the offseason, including Crochet and Buehler, expectations for the team's performance are rising after a .500 finish last season. The Red Sox will kick off their season on March 27, making Crawford's recovery critical for their pitching strategy.

Walker Buehler's move from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox marks a pivotal shift in his career. The right-handed pitcher, who secured the World Series title for the Dodgers against the New York Yankees, now aims to contribute significantly to the Red Sox and help them ascend in the American League East. Buehler's free agency followed a challenging recovery from Tommy John surgery, which kept him sidelined for nearly two years.

His 2024 season with the Dodgers was marked by a 5.38 ERA across 16 games, yet he found his form in the playoffs with 10 scoreless innings, including a flawless ninth inning in the World Series. This inconsistency led to a one-year, $21.05 million deal with Boston as he strives to prove his value.

The Boston Red Sox are actively reshaping their starting rotation ahead of the 2025 season, focusing on acquiring talent to address past deficiencies.

Key additions include left-hander Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox and veterans Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval, both of whom come with injury histories but significant potential.

With this revamped roster, the Red Sox aim to enhance their competitiveness and end their recent postseason struggles.