Lucas Giolito is progressing well after undergoing a right elbow ulnar collateral ligament repair with internal brace in March. The procedure ended the pitcher’s season before it began, and he shoulders some guilt after the Boston Red Sox signed him in the offseason.
But now Giolito is in Boston continuing with his physical therapy. Most days he’ll stick around Fenway Park and watch his team play.
Appearing on “The Chris Rose Rotation” podcast, Giolito — without a brace on his elbow — told Rose he got his motion back quickly, and has “been crushing the shoulder program.” With how good he’s been feeling, Giolito revealed what the biggest challenge will be as he continues to rehab.
“I feel like I can do a lot more than what I’m allowed to do. So, I think that’s going to be the biggest challenge in this process is the fact that I feel so good,” he told Rose. “I feel like I legitimately could go out and play catch in a week, but that’s just not gonna happen. I’m following the protocol. But at the same time trying to push the envelope as much as I can because I’d love to come back sooner than what’s projected. But it’s a lot of peoples’ decisions, not just mine.”
Having undergoing Tommy John surgery when he was 18 years old, Giolito says nothing scares him in terms in terms of his rehab. And if it were up to him, he wouldn’t wait until 2025 to throw his first pitch for the Red Sox.
“I’ve been through all that before. … Theres nothing that’s gonna scare me,” he said. “… I’m strong, we’re making a lot of progress. I feel like I’m making a ton of progress. I have all my motion and everything. If it were up to me, I’d love to come back and pitch this year. I don’t know if thats going to be allowed, but its good to have that goal in my mind. That will keep me motivated.”
The Red Sox rotation has a Major League Baseball-best 2.52 ERA, which likely has Giolito itching even more to be part of its success.
But with the 29-year-old figuring to be fully healthy for 2025, there’s no need for him to rush back and risk further injury.
