Left-hander Garrettcher Crochet has been officially reinstated from the 60-day injured list and included on the Red Sox roster for the Wild Card Series against the Yankees, according to team announcements on September 29, 2026. To clear a 40-man roster spot, right-hander Justin Slaten was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Garrett Crochet Returns to the Roster After Months on the Injured List
Crochet spent most of the season sidelined due to left shoulder inflammation that initially landed him on the IL in April, followed by a lat strain in June. After throwing bullpens and two live batting practice sessions in Fort Myers, Florida, team management cleared him for a return. “It was good. Been feeling good. I guess now it’s just a matter if anybody agrees with me,” Crochet told MLB.com on September 26.
Although Crochet started games throughout 2024 and 2025, manager Chad Tracy and team staff plan to use him out of the bullpen for short relief stints. Crochet brings prior relief experience from his early career with the White Sox, where he pitched 54 1/3 innings with a 2.82 ERA in 2021 and made a postseason appearance in 2020. Last postseason, Crochet set a strong tone for Boston against the same rival, striking out 11 batters over 7 2/3 innings in a Game 1 victory, as noted by MLB.com. When asked if he could pitch multiple times in the upcoming series, Tracy told MLB.com that his availability remains contingent on daily evaluations.
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Justin Slaten Moves to the 60-Day IL
To accommodate Crochet’s return, the Red Sox moved right-hander Justin Slaten to the 60-day injured list. Slaten originally hit the 15-day IL in August due to elbow inflammation. When he attempted to throw again in September, his symptoms returned. Manager Chad Tracy stated earlier in the month that the team expects Slaten to miss the remainder of the season, making the roster adjustment an anticipated formality. Slaten will technically be eligible for reinstatement in mid-October.
Red Sox Roster Makeup and Matchup Details
Boston’s Wild Card roster features 12 pitchers, two catchers, five infielders, five outfielders, and two utility players. Alongside Crochet and closer Aroldis Chapman, the bullpen includes Garrett Whitlock, Jake Bennett, Erik Miller, Alec Gamboa, Greg Weissert, Brayan Bello, and Wyatt Olds. The starting rotation for the series features left-handers Payton Tolle and Ranger Suarez for Games 1 and 3, respectively, with right-hander Sonny Gray taking the mound for Game 2, according to team data. Meanwhile, Boston opted against adding minor-league base-stealing threat Braiden Ward to the active roster, despite reports from weeks prior that the team considered him for a pinch-running role.
Common Questions Regarding the Wild Card Roster
What role will Garrett Crochet play in the Wild Card Series?
Team leadership plans to deploy Crochet exclusively in short relief roles rather than stretching him out as a starter, given his lengthy absence due to shoulder injuries.
Why was Justin Slaten placed on the 60-day injured list?
Slaten has been sidelined since August with elbow inflammation. After his symptoms returned during a September throwing session, the team ruled him out for the remainder of the season, opening a 40-man spot for Crochet.
Who are the starting pitchers for the Red Sox in the series?
Left-hander Payton Tolle starts Game 1, right-hander Sonny Gray takes Game 2, and left-hander Ranger Suarez is slated for Game 3.
Did the Red Sox add minor-league outfielder Braiden Ward to the roster?
No. Despite prior consideration of Ward as a potential late-inning pinch-running weapon after he stole 61 bases in the minors, he was left off the final roster.
