Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito is facing a season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace. The procedure was performed by Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama. This surgery was a significant development for Giolito, as it allowed him to avoid ligament replacement surgery, which he had previously undergone in 2012.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed doubt about Giolito's return to the mound in 2024, given the typical recovery timeline for this type of surgery. However, the internal brace surgery has shown promising results, with some pitchers making a comeback in as little as nine months. This contrasts with the more traditional Tommy John surgery, which usually requires a longer rehab period of 12 to 18 months.
Cora remains optimistic about Giolito's future, stating that the procedure was the best-case scenario. He believes that Giolito will be able to return to form and contribute to the Red Sox's success on the field once he completes his recovery.
Giolito, who recently signed a lucrative two-year deal with the Red Sox, is set to turn 30 in July. His spring training outings were cut short due to discomfort in his elbow, signaling the need for the surgical intervention. Despite this setback, Giolito has a strong track record in the major leagues, having been a reliable starter for several seasons.
Having made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Washington Nationals, Giolito later found success with the Chicago White Sox, earning an All-Star selection in 2019. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated consistency on the mound, with five of the last six seasons seeing him pitch over 160 innings. With a career record of 61-62 and a 4.43 ERA in 178 starts and two relief appearances, Giolito has proven himself as a valuable asset to any team.
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