Red Sox SP's brutal injury update continues club's nightmare offseason

The Red Sox have finished in last place in the AL East in back-to-back seasons and look destined to remain in the basement in 2024.

Boston had an underwhelming offseason, making a handful of moves that failed to move the needle much.

The signing of 2019 All-Star starting pitcher Lucas Giolito was one of the "marquee" additions to the club, joining a list of moves that also included bringing in promising 23-year-old second baseman Vaughn Grissom. The former Atlanta Braves prospect was slated to begin the season as the Opening Day starter but is dealing with a groin injury and is likely to miss the opener.

The Red Sox also brought in former AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer, who the team signed to a two-year minor-league deal. The right-handed pitcher underwent UCL revision in his 2023 campaign with the Chicago Cubs and will likely miss all of 2024.

Boston also added oft-injured, two-time Gold Glove winner and power-hitting outfielder Tyler O'Neill over the winter and three-time All-Star reliever Liam Hendriks. The latter, who signed a two-year contract, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is hoping to make it back by the summer trade deadline.

The Red Sox lost fan favorite designated hitter Justin Turner to the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency this offseason, traded relief pitcher John Schriber in a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and sent seven-time All-Star pitcher Chris Sale to the Braves in the move for Grissom.

Fans in Beantown have been calling for the front office to sign World Series champion Jordan Montgomery in recent weeks to shore up a shaky projected starting rotation. Montgomery broke out last year in a split season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, posting career bests in wins (10), ERA (3.20), innings pitched (188 2/3) and strikeouts (166).

With Giolito going down with a potentially crushing injury before the season even begins, the clamoring will likely only get louder.