Giolito undergoes elbow surgery, likely to miss 2024

Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito underwent surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow with an internal brace, the team announced Wednesday.

The internal brace procedure differs from what's commonly known as the full UCL reconstruction, or Tommy John surgery.

While the Red Sox didn't provide a timetable for Giolito's return, he's likely to miss the entire 2024 season, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. However, the normal recovery timetable from the brace procedure is usually quicker than the recovery from Tommy John surgery, meaning he could pitch a full season in 2025 if his rehab goes well, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

The fact Giolito didn't need Tommy John surgery left Red Sox manager Alex Cora feeling optimistic about the pitcher's long-term outlook.

"I do believe it was the best-case scenario. ... The hope is for him to be ready whenever he's ready," Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "Seeing what has happened with this procedure in the past, he's gonna be able to go out there and throw his changeup and his good fastball and help the Red Sox win some more games."

This marks the first major arm injury of the 29-year-old's eight-year career. Giolito developed a reputation as a workhorse, throwing at least 160 innings in every full season since 2018. Last year, he made an AL-leading 33 starts and tossed a career-high 184 1/3 innings split between three teams.

Giolito joined the Red Sox on a two-year, $38.5-million contract in the offseason and was expected to be the team's ace. He holds a $19-million player option for 2025, while Boston can exercise a $14-million club option in 2026.

The Red Sox received some additional unwanted injury news Wednesday when utility player Rob Refsnyder, who was vying for a bench spot, was diagnosed with a fractured left pinky toe, according to the Globe's Pete Abraham. There's no immediate timetable for Refsnyder's return.