Giolito out of Red Sox AL Wild Card roster with elbow issue

Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito will not be included on the club's American League Wild Card Series roster against the New York Yankees because of an elbow problem, manager Alex Cora said Monday at Yankee Stadium, a little more than 24 hours before Game 1. Giolito flew to Alabama to consult Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, who performed an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in March 2024, and will not be available for the best-of-three series.

Giolito had been projected to start a potential Game 3 at Yankee Stadium behind Garrett Crochet in Game 1 and Brayan Bello in Game 2. Cora said the team will go with Crochet and Bello to open the series and then determine a Game 3 starter if the series reaches a decisive game. "He's been battling with his elbow the last few days," Cora said. "Hopefully it's nothing major."

The development removes a veteran option from Boston's postseason rotation and forces the club to rely on younger pitchers if the series extends. Connelly Early, who has performed well in his first big league starts, and Kyle Harrison, acquired earlier in the season, are the primary internal candidates to take a potential Game 3 assignment. Right-hander Dustin May,...