Justin Slaten is officially done for the season, and for Red Sox fans, this isn’t just another tough break. What kicked off as simple elbow inflammation for the pitcher has taken a brutal, unexpected turn into something far more serious, sending shockwaves through their pitching staff. This isn’t the news anyone wanted to hear, especially when every arm counts.
Slaten’s Season-Ending Blow Just Got Real
Chad Tracy, the guy delivering the updates, confirmed what we all dreaded: Slaten is out. But it’s the *why* that really stings. We’re talking “degenerative changes in the flexor mass” here, folks. Tracy didn’t mince words, calling it “substantially different news” from the initial diagnosis. This isn’t just about missing a few starts or a short stint on the IL anymore. This sounds like a long-term problem. Slaten’s already slated to get a plasma injection to try and kickstart some healing, but the truly concerning part? Tracy mentioned this whole situation “could require surgery eventually.” Oof. Losing a pitcher for the entire season to something with that kind of lingering threat? That’s a massive hit for the Red Sox, and it leaves a hole that’s tough to fill.
Small Steps Forward Amidst Big Setbacks
It’s not all grim news on the injury front, but let’s be real, it’s a total mixed bag. Garrett Crochet, thankfully, is making some actual progress. He threw a solid thirty pitches over two simulated innings yesterday, which is huge! Chad Tracy confirmed “everything went well,” which is exactly what you want to hear. Tracy also noted that this was “the most volume he’s had,” which is a clear step forward. They’re going to keep a close eye on him “over the next couple of days how he feels and go from there.” We’re all crossing our fingers he keeps trending up, because with Slaten out, Crochet’s return feels more vital than ever.
Then you’ve got the infielders on the comeback trail. Romy Gonzalez, after admitting his initial rehab was a bit rushed, is sounding locked in and ready to contribute. He’s on record saying, “I’m ready whenever my name’s called,” and his confidence is legit. He’s “always been extremely confident in what I can do,” and he believes he’s “showed that over the past two seasons.” That’s the kind of fire you need in the dugout. Meanwhile, Curtis Mead is finally taking his first offensive steps since that nasty wrist fracture. He’s starting “light tee work” tomorrow. It’s progress, for sure, but “light” tee work probably means we’re still a ways off from seeing him swinging for the fences in a high-stakes game. You gotta wonder how long until he’s fully cleared.
Proving Doubters Wrong When It Counts
This Red Sox squad has a real uphill battle ahead of them, especially with these injury curveballs. But one guy who’s already dialed in is Trevor Story. He’s aware of all the doubters out there, the media chatter, the fan frustration, but he’s flipping the script. He’s channeling “all that stuff… into an energy” he can actually use. Story said he initially tried to ignore it, but when people kept bringing it to him, he decided to “channel it into when I do come back, and it’s all about the playoffs, and it’s all about winning this thing at the end. That’s where I put my energy and focus.” That’s the kind of fierce determination you absolutely need, especially when you consider a recent poll of sixteen MLB executives. Only *three* of them bothered to call the Red Sox the “team to beat in the AL.” They’ve got a ton to prove, and with a rotation taking hits like this, every single player needs to embody Story’s fighting spirit to turn this season around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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