Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito is facing a season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace. The procedure was performed by Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama. This surgery was a significant development for Giolito, as it allowed him to avoid ligament replacement surgery, which he had previously undergone in 2012.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed doubt about Giolito's return to the mound in 2024, given the typical recovery timeline for this type of surgery. However, the internal brace surgery has shown promising results, with some pitchers making a comeback in as little as nine months. This contrasts with the more traditional Tommy John surgery, which usually requires a longer rehab period of 12 to 18 months.
