Crawford will likely be part of the rotation early in the regular season if both Garrett Whitlock (hip) and Brayan Bello (forearm) open the season on the injured list, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock and Bello threw live batting practice Saturday and will soon make their Grapefruit League debuts. At this point, it looks like Bello is a lock to open the season on the injured list, which could clear a spot for Tanner Houck. If Whitlock joins Bello on the IL, then Crawford is the most likely candidate to make an early-season start or two. Crawford is starting Sunday against the Orioles in one of two Grapefruit League contests for the Red Sox. Houck will start against the Yankees.

Crawford struck out three over three scoreless relief innings in Sunday's spring game against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford made his second spring appearance (one as a starter) and has yet to allow a run while striking out five over five innings. The right-hander keeps his name in the mix for a spot in the rotation if health becomes an issue early in the season. Brayan Bello (forearm), James Paxton (hamstring) and Garrett Whitlock (hip) are all in danger of missing Opening Day.

Crawford will be stretched out as a starter during spring training but could earn a role in Boston's bullpen, Christoper Smith of MassLive.com reports. "We're going to stretch him as a starter and then we'll see," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford, who was used as both a starter and reliever at the major-league level in 2022, threw two innings Thursday and is expected to make a start next week. The Red Sox have seven main rotation candidates, and Crawford is not among them. That means if he remains on a starter's path, the 26-year-old right-hander would open at Triple-A Worcester while serving as depth during the regular season.

Crawford (shoulder) threw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though the Red Sox have already ruled out Crawford from returning in 2022, he looks like he'll be in store for a normal offseason now that he's facing hitters. The 26-year-old righty should get the opportunity to compete for a rotation spot next spring after turning in a 5.47 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 77:29 K:BB across 77.1 innings during his rookie campaign.

Crawford (shoulder) will not return this season, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

This shoulder impingement will wipe out his entire month of September, but Crawford is remaining around the team. He will serve as rotation and/or bullpen depth in 2023 after logging a 5.47 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 77.1 innings over 21 appearances in the majors as a rookie.

Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Crawford (shoulder) has made slower progress than expected in his recovery than expected, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford has been sidelined with a right shoulder impingement since the beginning of September and hasn't yet thrown a bullpen. In spite of his slow progress so far, the Red Sox remain hopeful that the 26-year-old will be cleared to return prior to the end of the regular season.

Crawford was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to Sept. 1, with a right shoulder impingement.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old had already been scratched from Sunday's scheduled start due to the injury, and he'll end up missing some additional time. The severity of the issue is unclear, but the fact it's a shoulder injury could make it difficult for Crawford to return this season. Josh Winckowski was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move and is a likely bet to start Sunday, though the Red Sox haven't officially announced their updated pitching plans.

Crawford was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against the Rangers with a shoulder injury, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford reportedly felt sore while playing catch Saturday. It's unclear if he'll require a trip to the injured list or merely have his next outing pushed back. The Red Sox have yet to announce who will make a spot start in his absence.

Crawford (3-6) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks over 4.1 innings in a 10-5 loss against Minnesota. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie never found his rhythm Tuesday as he allowed nine runners to reach base in 4.1 innings. This was the fourth time Crawford has allowed four or more walks in a single game this season, which is concerning. However, entering Tuesday, he had a reasonable 3.1 BB/9 and 4.17 xFIP, indicating that there may be room for improvement.

Crawford did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Crawford surrendered a two-run double to Bo Bichette in the first inning and a two-run single to Vladimir Guerrero in the fourth. The righty has been poor lately with a 9.31 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over 19.1 innings in his last four starts, issuing two or more walks in three of them.