Red Sox pause RHP Kutter Crawford's rehab due to wrist concerns

The Red Sox have pressed pause on the rehabilitation efforts of right-handed pitcher Kutter Crawford over concerns about a worsening wrist injury, Boston manager Alex Cora told reporters Saturday.

Crawford hasn't pitched in a game this season as he's dealt with discomfort in the patellar tendon in his right knee, a situation that has plagued him since early last season, as well as an ongoing wrist injury.

He threw two bullpen sessions this week in the hopes of moving on to a rehab assignment but will instead fly to Boston for further testing.

"He started playing catch, he didn't feel great about it, so we're going to shut him down," Cora said. "We're going to fly him up to Boston to see where we're at. With the wrist, he wasn't able to generate velocity, so that's a concern and a concern for him, too. If he's trying to do something, then the shoulder comes into play."

Crawford, 28, hit the ground running to begin the 2024 season with a 1-0 record and 0.66 ERA over his first five starts. He injured his knee while covering first base in a game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 10 of last season.

Crawford finished the season with a 9-16 record and a 4.36 ERA while leading the league in starts (33), and the Red Sox in innings pitched (183 2/3) and strikeouts (175) but the knee issues bothered him ahead of the 2025 season and wrist issues soon followed.

"He'll be in Boston in the upcoming days and we'll know more next week," Cora said Saturday.

--Field Level Media