With the World Baseball Classic set to begin on March 5, Boston Red Sox fans will notice a notable absence: Garrett Crochet, the team’s top pitcher, will not be participating. Crochet has chosen to sit out the international tournament to prioritize his health and his commitments for the upcoming 2026 MLB season.
Citing the arrival of his newborn daughter Colette in early November and a demanding workload last year, Crochet decided to forego joining Team United States in the WBC. His choice reflects a focus on remaining fresh for a season of high expectations with the Red Sox.
Garrett Crochet’s Rationale for Skipping the Tournament
Last season marked a significant increase in Crochet’s innings pitched, as he logged 205.1 innings, far surpassing his previous career high of 146 innings while with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to 2025, he had thrown just 73 total innings from 2020 through 2023.
Balancing family and professional priorities, Crochet spoke to the Boston Globe about his decision:
“There was a point last season when it seemed possible, but then it just didn’t make sense….When last season ended and then my daughter was born, everything kind of fell into my lap”
Garrett Crochet, Red Sox pitcher.
By opting out, Crochet aims not to strain his arm unnecessarily before the demanding MLB campaign, especially since the Red Sox are counting on his leadership to help improve on last season’s early playoff exit against the New York Yankees.
Boston Red Sox’s Presence at the World Baseball Classic
Although Crochet will be absent, the Red Sox will still send a strong contingent to the WBC with 11 players representing various countries. These include Wilyer Abreu, Ranger Suárez, and Willson Contreras playing for Venezuela; Masataka Yoshida for Japan; Brayan Bello representing the Dominican Republic; Jarren Duran for Mexico; Greg Weissert for Italy; Ceddanne Rafaela for the Netherlands; Nate Eaton for Great Britain; Jovani Morán for Puerto Rico; and Garrett Whitlock joining the United States squad.
Building a Strong Rotation Beyond Crochet
Following the departure of Lucas Giolito in free agency, the Red Sox have reinforced their starting rotation behind Crochet through key offseason moves. Boston acquired Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals by trading Richard Fitts and prospects, securing Gray, who is signed for one more year.
In addition, the Red Sox signed Ranger Suárez from the Philadelphia Phillies to a five-year, $130 million contract, further deepening the rotation’s talent. Alongside Crochet, Suárez, and Brayan Bello, the team expects contributions from Kutter Crawford, Johan Oviedo, and Patrick Sandoval.
Looking ahead, key pitchers such as Crochet, Suárez, and Bello remain under contract for at least the next four years, while prospects Payton Tolle and Connelly Early are anticipated to join the rotation in the near future.
The Impact of Crochet’s Decision on the Team’s Outlook
Garrett Crochet’s choice to sit out the WBC signals a commitment to long-term health and effectiveness, especially given his increased innings last season and new family responsibilities. For Team USA, the absence of the 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up means relying on pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Joe Ryan to fill the rotation.
For the Boston Red Sox, maintaining Crochet’s arm strength and availability will be crucial as they aim to move beyond their Wild Card elimination and make a deeper postseason run in 2026. His leadership at the front of a now reinforced rotation could be a defining factor for the team’s success.
