More than 15 months after signing with Red Sox, RHP Lucas Giolito makes debut start at Toronto

By Canadian Press on April 30, 2025.

TORONTO (AP) — More than 15 months after signing a free-agent deal with the Red Sox, right-hander Lucas Giolito finally made his Boston debut Wednesday night with a start at Toronto.

The Red Sox activated Giolito off the injured list Wednesday and put left-hander Brennan Bernardino on the bereavement list. Giolito had been sidelined since spring training because of a strained left hamstring.

Staked to a 2-0 lead before taking the mound, Giolito allowed a leadoff single to Bo Bichette in the first inning but struck out Daulton Varsho to strand a pair. He also struck out Anthony Santander looking for the second out.

In March, Giolito left his first spring start against Philadelphia after one inning when his hamstring tightened.

The 30-year-old signed a $38.5 million. two-year contract with Boston before last season, but didn’t pitch in 2024 because of a partial tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament.

He went 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA in five minor league rehab starts.

In 2023, Giolito went 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA in 33 starts with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians. He allowed 41 homers, second-most in the majors.

After beginning his career with six games for Washington, Giolito went 59-52 with a 4.20 ERA in 162 starts with the White Sox before Chicago traded him to the Angels in July of 2023. After going 1-5 with a 6.89 ERA in six starts for Los Angeles, Giolito was claimed off waivers by Cleveland and went 1-4 with a 7.04 ERA in six starts.

He entered Wednesday with a 61-62 record and a 4.43 ERA in 178 starts and two relief appearances.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Ian Harrison, The Associated Press