When is Lucas Giolito Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Return Update

When is Lucas Giolito coming back? Will Lucas Giolito play this MLB season? Read about Lucas Giolito's return date and fantasy baseball injury updates for 2024.

It's been a wild year for starting pitcher Lucas Giolito. He started the 2023 season with the Chicago White Sox before he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels at the MLB trade deadline. Then, Giolito was released by the Angels in late August and signed with the Cleveland Guardians for the remainder of the season.

Despite a struggling 2023 campaign, Giolito entered the offseason looking for a new home. The Boston Red Sox eventually signed the right-hander to a two-year contract worth $38.5 million -- with a player option after the 2024 season.

However, the 29-year-old is in danger of missing the entire 2024 season. What injury does Giolito have? Will he play this season? Let's dive in and find out.

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Lucas Giolito Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

The Red Sox signed Giolito in December, and he was expected to be the team's best starting option in 2024. Nonetheless, it looks like that won't happen anymore. 

Giolito suffered an elbow injury early in March and it turned out to be the worst-case scenario for the right-hander. He suffered a partially torn UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) and flexor strain. That resulted in the 29-year-old getting elbow surgery this past week, which will likely keep him out for the 2024 season.

Lucas Giolito told the media that he feels like he’s let everyone down because he came to provide innings.

He expects to be a full go for 2025 (via @Sean_McAdam). pic.twitter.com/8NPAqETUfO

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) March 14, 2024

Giolito's surgery couldn't come at a worse time, especially after a disappointing year. If there is any positive news with this injury, it's that he avoided Tommy John surgery. That should put him on track to return by the start of the 2025 season.

Lucas Giolito Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Giolito entered the 2024 season as a potential late-round fantasy option. He struggled with a 4.88 ERA last year, but he was just a couple of years removed from a 3.53 ERA and 201-strikeout season in 2021. That made him an interesting choice at the back end of drafts.

However, now with Giolito out for the year, he is no longer a fantasy option. There hasn't been an official timeline for the right-hander's return, but he should be out for the entire season. 

Red Sox say Lucas Giolito had underwent a successful right elbow ulnar collateral ligament repair with internal brace yesterday. So Tommy John surgery avoided.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) March 13, 2024

Giolito will rehab this season and should be ready to go by spring training next year. He'll look to rebound after a poor 2023 campaign and a season-ending elbow injury in 2024. 

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