Role
Kutter Crawford hasn't pitched in the majors since Sept. 28, 2024 (per SI). He missed all of 2025 with a right knee problem and then wrist surgery in July. In 2026 he opened on the injured list, made one rehab start for Worcester on April 11 (three innings, five runs), and was shut down with elbow soreness. SI reported that an MRI found irritation in his flexor tendon. Boston moved him to the 60-day IL on May 22, and a September rehab start that would have been his first game in five months was rained out (per Heavy).
Outlook
The last full season was a good one. In 2024 he made 33 starts, threw 183.2 innings, and struck out 175 with a 1.12 WHIP, though his 4.36 ERA came with a 9-16 record. Since then the injuries have stacked: knee, wrist, then elbow, and he turns 31 next April. We couldn't confirm his contract status for 2027.
Our take: we'd keep him if it's cheap and see what he looks like in February. He has two years of missed time to make up, so the realistic hope is a long reliever or a Worcester starter who can cover innings when the rotation gets hurt.