Red Sox fall to the Twins 5-4 on July 29, but the bigger story is Kutter Crawford's season-ending injury. Get the full recap and update on the Sox's playoff push.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some losses hurt more than others. Tuesday night's 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Twins was a frustrating one for the Red Sox, but the news that broke off the field felt like the real knockout blow. Just as the team was trying to shake off a second straight loss, the organization confirmed that starting pitcher Kutter Crawford is officially out for the remainder of the 2025 season, a gut punch to a team fighting for its postseason life.
Starting pitcher Kutter Crawford was officially ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season due to a wrist injury.
On the diamond, it was a classic case of 'almost.' The Red Sox battled hard but ultimately fell short against the Twins, 5-4. The offense showed signs of life, with Wilyer Abreu launching his 20th home run and Trevor Story adding to his RBI total, but it wasn't enough to overcome a potent Minnesota lineup led by Byron Buxton. The loss drops the Sox to 57-51 on the year, keeping them in third place in the AL East and a full six games behind the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. With every game in this late-July stretch feeling like a must-win, letting a one-run game slip away stings.
The bigger story of the day, however, was the devastating update on Kutter Crawford. The team announced on Tuesday that the right-hander's wrist injury will sideline him for the rest of the year. This is a massive blow to a starting rotation that was already relying heavily on him to eat innings and provide stability. As the Sox navigate the final two months of the season and a tight playoff race, losing a reliable arm like Crawford creates a gaping hole that will be incredibly difficult to fill. The front office now faces immense pressure to find a replacement, either internally or before the trade deadline.
The training room remains a busy place for the Red Sox. In a sliver of good news, All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to be available as soon as Wednesday after dealing with back tightness. His return can't come soon enough for a bullpen that has been overworked. Meanwhile, the infield is still missing a key piece, as top prospect Marcelo Mayer remains on the IL with a wrist sprain, with his return timeline still unclear. David Hamilton will continue to hold down the fort. On the rehab front, reliever Zack Kelly continues to make progress, tossing a scoreless inning for High-A Greenville. His eventual return would provide another much-needed arm for the 'pen.
Tuesday was a day that tested the resolve of the Boston Red Sox and their fans. A tough loss on the field and a season-ending injury to a key player have cast a dark cloud over the team's playoff aspirations. Now, the question is how they respond. Can the offense carry a heavier load? Can the bullpen, hopefully with Chapman back, lock down games? And who will step up to fill the void left by Kutter Crawford? The character of this 2025 team is about to be revealed as they try to salvage the series in Minnesota and keep their postseason dreams alive.
