Giolito came away with a no-decision in Friday's 7-5 win over the Nationals, surrendering four runs on five hits and four walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out one.
Facing the team he made his big-league debut with back in 2016, Giolito struggled right from the jump, serving up homers to Curtis Mead in the first inning and Keibert Ruiz in the second before getting lifted after 77 pitches (41 strikes). Giolito won his first two starts of the year after not signing with the Padres until late April, but through his first 12.2 innings in 2026 he's stumbled to a 4.97 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 6:12 K:BB. The veteran righty will try to rebound in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Gets away with wildness
Rotowire
Giolito (2-0) earned the win Saturday versus the Athletics, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out two over five shutout innings.
Giolito has won both of his starts since returning to the majors, allowing three runs on five hits and eight walks with five strikeouts over 10 innings. The right-hander's walk rate will be something to keep an eye on -- he had a fairly normal 3.5 BB/9 with the Red Sox last year while coming off elbow surgery. He hasn't been punished for his lack of command yet, but he'll need to get it under control soon. His next start is projected to be on the road versus the Nationals.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Earns win in season debut
Rotowire
Giolito (1-0) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs on a hit and three walks over five-plus innings against the Mariners. He struck out three.
Giolito managed to deliver five scoreless innings before running out of gas in the sixth frame, walking the bases loaded before giving way to Yuki Matsui, who allowed all three inherited runners to score. While the rough ending put a bit of a damper on the outing, Sunday can still be viewed as a successful and encouraging Padres debut for Giolito, especially for a club sorely in need of quality arms to stabilize the rotation. The veteran right-hander is tentatively scheduled to make his home debut Saturday against the Athletics.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Promoted for season debut
Rotowire
The Padres recalled Giolito from Double-A San Antonio to start Sunday's game against the Mariners.
After making four starts in the minor leagues, Giolito is ready to make his 2026 major-league debut. The right-hander built up to 74 pitches over six innings during his last outing with San Antonio, so he shouldn't have significant workload limitations in his first outing for San Diego. Giolito posted a 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 121:56 K:BB across 145 innings with the Red Sox last season, but he was unable to land a contract for 2026 until signing with the Friars in late April.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Team debut expected this weekend
Rotowire
Giolito is expected to enter the Padres' rotation this weekend in Seattle, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
He will likely take over Matt Waldron's spot in the San Diego rotation. After not signing until late April, Giolito has been pitching in the minors to sharpen up. He looked excellent his last time out Sunday with Double-A San Antonio, striking out three over six innings of one-run ball. Giolito has been pitching on four days' rest in the minors, so he could join the Padres' rotation as soon as Friday, but if the club doesn't want to push Randy Vasquez back, Giolito's turn would come Saturday or Sunday. He threw 74 pitches Sunday, so Giolito might have less than a full workload versus the Mariners.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Looks ready to join big club
Rotowire
Giolito struck out three batters and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks over six innings in a start Sunday for Double-A San Antonio.
Making his fourth appearance in the minors since signing a one-year deal with San Diego on April 22, Giolito delivered his best performance yet. He displayed pinpoint control in the start, pumping in 52 of his 74 pitches for strikes while not walking a batter or throwing a wild pitch for the first time during his rehab assignment. The Padres haven't decided on Giolito's next steps, but based on both the form he showed and the workload he handled Sunday, the right-hander appears ready to make his 2026 MLB debut for his next appearance. He could join the Padres in Seattle to make a start during the club's three-game series versus the Mariners this coming weekend.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Covers four frames in MiLB start
Rotowire
Giolito covered four innings Tuesday in a start for Double-A San Antonio, yielding five runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out two batters.
Making his third start in the minors after signing a one-year deal with the Padres on April 22, Giolito was able to push up his pitch count to 78. Between Tuesday's start and his previous two appearances with Single-A Lake Elsinore, Giolito has posted a 6.55 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB over 11 innings. The 31-year-old righty will need to be added to the Padres' 26-man active roster by May 16, so he could be in line for one more tune-up outing in the minors before entering the San Diego rotation.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Completes second start at Single-A
Rotowire
Giolito struck out six and allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk over 4.1 innings Thursday in his start for Single-A Lake Elsinore.
After remaining unsigned until reaching a one-year deal with the Padres on April 22, Giolito reported to Lake Elsinore shortly thereafter to essentially complete his own version of spring training. He's now made two starts for Lake Elsinore, and after covering 4.1 innings and tossing 70 pitches Thursday, Giolito looks to be close to fully stretched out. Giolito hasn't been especially sharp in either outing, however, so the Padres will likely have him make one or two more starts in the minors before he slots back into the big-league rotation. San Diego will have until May 16 to add him to its active roster.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Lucas Giolito: Inks one-year deal with Padres
Rotowire
The Padres signed Giolito to a one-year contract Wednesday.
He'll earn a prorated $3 million, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2027 that could feature a sizable buyout. Giolito posted a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 innings for the Red Sox during the 2025 regular season. Elbow soreness prevented Giolito from being available for the postseason, but he had a normal offseason throwing program and said earlier this month that he's been maintaining a pitch count of around 75 during live batting practice sessions. Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, Giolito will be assigned to Single-A Lake Elsinore, where he will knock off some rust before eventually joining the San Diego rotation.
... See More... See Less
Lucas Giolito: Could link up with Padres soon
Rotowire
Giolito and the Padres "is an inevitable marriage that could take shape soon," Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
It was reported last week that the Padres and Cubs were among the teams with serious interest in Giolito, and it sounds like San Diego is leading the pack. With Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) sidelined, Giolito is a clear fit. The right-hander has been throwing on his own, noting earlier this month that he's been maintaining a pitch count of around 75 in live batting practice sessions. That said, Giolito would surely still need at least a start or two in the minors before being deemed big-league ready. The 31-year-old posted a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 regular-season innings for the Red Sox in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Lucas Giolito: Has limited market
Rotowire
Giolito is not getting much interest as a free agent, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Despite some of the typical attrition among starting pitchers around the league this spring, Giolito remains a free agent without much prospect of landing a deal. Rosenthal specifically explained Atlanta's lack of interest despite injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) and Hurston Waldrep (elbow), suggesting the team would rather give players already on the roster without remaining minor-league options the chance to make the roster. Rosenthal also speculated that Giolito is seeking at least $10 million per season in a deal, though that request could come down with Opening Day coming up fast.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Fully recovered from elbow injury
Rotowire
Giolito said Saturday in an appearance on Audacy's "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast that he began his offseason throwing program in mid-October and is fully recovered from the right elbow injury that ended his season in late September.
The right-hander came down with right elbow soreness at the end of the regular season and was unavailable to pitch in the playoffs for the Red Sox. However, Giolito noted that "within three days, my elbow felt 100 percent fine again," and "whatever injury there was, it's gone." Giolito is entering free agency, and assuming his medicals check out fine, he should receive plenty of interest on the open market. The 31-year-old held a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 innings for Boston in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Declines mutual option
Rotowire
Giolito (elbow) declined the player side of his $19 mutual option for 2026 on Monday, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.
He'll be paid a $1.5 million buyout instead. It's possible the Red Sox will extend Giolito a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, and if that happens, there's a non-zero chance the right-hander accepts it. After missing the 2024 season following internal brace surgery, Giolito had a nice bounce-back 2025 campaign, posting a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 frames. However, his season ended in late September with elbow soreness, and while he was cleared of structural damage, the injury could affect his earnings potential this offseason.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Unlikely to pitch this postseason
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that while Giolito's right elbow injury is not as bad as the team feared it might be, the hurler is unlikely to be available at any point during the postseason, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Giolito seems to have been cleared of any structural damage after a visit with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, but the right-hander needs extended rest, so he's done for the season even if the Red Sox make a deep postseason run. It's poor timing for the Red Sox and also Giolito, who will enter free agency this winter. Giolito had a nice bounce-back 2025 campaign, posting a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 frames, but he'll head into the free-agent market with health questions.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Control issues continue Tuesday
Rotowire
Giolito came away with a no-decision Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out three.
The right-hander threw 61 of 98 pitches for strikes as he once again had trouble avoiding free passes. Over his last five starts, Giolito has a 22:18 K:BB in 25.2 innings, but he's given up more than two earned runs just once during that stretch, posting a 3.16 ERA despite a 1.60 WHIP. He currently lines up to take the mound on the final day of the regular season, at home against a Tigers team that has collapsed down the stretch, but with the Red Sox also fighting to lock up a wild-card spot, it's not clear if they will actually risk Giolito's wildness if a playoff berth is on the line.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Struggles with command vs. A's
Rotowire
Giolito didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's win against the Athletics, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings.
Giolito worked around constant traffic early and stranded six runners through four frames to limit the damage to one run, but it caught up to him in the fifth. After a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out, the right-hander was lifted, and all three inherited runners came around to score. The rough outing snapped a strong four-start stretch in which Giolito had posted a 1.46 ERA and 22:10 K:BB across 24.2 innings. He is slated to take the mound against the Blue Jays next, which is a tough assignment given that Toronto leads MLB in runs scored in the back half of the season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Strong effort in loss
Rotowire
Giolito (10-4) took the loss Friday versus the Yankees after giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six batters across 5.2 innings.
Giolito put the Red Sox in an early hole by giving up a home run to Aaron Judge in the first inning, and an RBI single from Cody Bellinger in the third was all New York needed to remain in front for the rest of the game. Giolito was pulled one out before he could deliver his third quality start in his last four appearances. Still, he will take a season-best 3.31 ERA into his next start -- tentatively scheduled to come against the Athletics on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Handed third loss
Rotowire
Giolito (10-3) allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings to take the loss versus the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
Giolito threw just 53 of 94 pitches for strikes. He struggled in the second inning after an error allowed the Diamondbacks to put together a three-run rally, and that was enough to sink the Red Sox in what ended up being a 5-1 contest. Prior to Saturday, Giolito had allowed just five runs over his previous four starts, covering 25 innings in that span. While he's had a few shaky outings this season, this was just his third loss and his first since July 18 versus the Cubs. The 31-year-old has maintained a 3.38 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 107:46 K:BB through 130.1 innings over 23 starts. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Yankees.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Grabs 10th win
Rotowire
Giolito (10-2) earned the win Sunday over the Pirates, allowing a run on three hits and five walks over six innings. He struck out six.
While Giolito's five walks were the second-most he's issued in a start this season, the right-hander was able to minimize the damage en route to his 10th victory. Giolito has gone 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA in his last seven outings (43.2 innings), lowering his ERA to 3.38 on the season with a 1.23 WHIP and 105:43 K:BB across 22 starts (125.1 innings). He's currently slated to face the Diamondbacks on the road his next time out.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Another shaky no-decision
Rotowire
Giolito allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Yankees on Thursday.
Giolito left the game in line for the loss, but the Red Sox were able to tie it up in the sixth inning before rallying for the win. This was the third time in six starts Giolito has fallen short of the five-inning mark. He's allowed 15 runs over 33.2 innings with a 21:14 K:BB in that span. That's not terrible, but the inconsistency is frustrating -- he's allowed just one run in three of those outings. He's now at a 3.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 91:37 K:BB through 111.1 innings over 20 starts this season. Giolito will look to rebound in his next start, which is tentatively projected to be a favorable road matchup in Baltimore.
