The Boston Red Sox suffered a tough blow to their chances in 2024.

Losing pitcher Lucas Giolito for the season is a tough pill to swallow.

But, the injury he suffered was not the worst-case scenario.

Giolito suffered an elbow injury in spring training and many thought it could require Tommy John surgery.

Luckily, that was not the case.

According to Tyler Milliken, Giolito did not need Tommy John surgery.

He instead had successful surgery on his UCL and should be full-go for 2025.

Red Sox got the best news possible on Lucas Giolito’s elbow given the circumstances.

He avoided Tommy John surgery and underwent a successful right elbow ulnar collateral ligament repair with an internal brace yesterday.

According to @alexspeier, that should point to him being… pic.twitter.com/rHtk7PjEiR

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) March 13, 2024

Losing Gioltio for the full season is not ideal, but at least it should only be this year.

Boston now must find a way to fill the void left in their starting rotation.

The best way for them to do that is by looking into the free-agent market.

Two very good starters are still available in Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.

Montgomery might fit better into the Red Sox’s price range but Snell is the better pitcher.

Signing either of those players would show the Red Sox are serious about contending.

The AL East is a gauntlet of some of the best teams in baseball.

Also, their rival in the New York Yankees will be looking into the starting pitcher market as well with the loss of Gerrit Cole.

Boston has a chance to improve their roster while taking away a potential option for the Yankees.

That should be a no-brainer for them.

Injuries always seem to have a way to derail a season.

But, with this injury to Giolito happening before the season begins, the Red Sox have time to adjust.

It would be wise for them to make another move.