Lucas Giolito will remain with the Boston Red Sox in 2025, as the pitcher has opted to exercise his $19 million contract option, per a team statement.
After missing the 2024 season due to elbow surgery, this decision was widely anticipated since free agency wasn’t a practical choice for Giolito.
While he aims to be ready for spring training, Giolito’s full return to the starting rotation is not guaranteed by Opening Day. He will undergo a series of tests to secure his role in the rotation and demonstrate his ability to handle regular pitching duties.
Reflecting on his recovery, Giolito told the Boston Globe:
“It’s hard… it’s a lot of money, I’m letting people down, vs. this kind of [expletive] that happens in baseball. We blow our elbows out. I didn’t want it to happen now. But it’s kind of the hand you’re dealt.”
Before his injury, the 30-year-old had built a reputation for durability, recording three consecutive seasons of 30-plus starts from 2021 to 2023, including an All-Star appearance in 2019.
