Lucas Giolito Avoids Structural Elbow Damage, Postseason Return Unlikely

Lucas Giolito, a 31-year-old right-hander for the Boston Red Sox, appears to have avoided structural damage to his right elbow, though he is unlikely to pitch in the postseason. Giolito was excluded from Boston’s Wild Card Series roster against the New York Yankees due to elbow pain and was examined by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas. Manager Alex Cora confirmed "no structural damage," calling it "good news" for Giolito personally, avoiding offseason surgery. This follows Dugas's internal brace surgery on Giolito's UCL on March 12 last year, and a prior Tommy John surgery in 2012. An All-Star in 2019, Giolito finished this season 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts, and holds a career record of 71-66 with a 4.30 ERA over nine major league seasons.