Red Sox's Giolito (hammy) to start season on IL

Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito will begin the season on the injured list with a hamstring injury, manager Alex Cora told reporters Thursday.

Giolito's status for Opening Day was in doubt after he left Tuesday's outing with a hamstring strain

The announcement comes two days after Cora said right-hander Brayan Bello won't be ready for the start of the season.

Bello, the Opening Day starter last season, has been dealing with soreness in his shoulder this spring. The Red Sox have been taking a cautious approach with him.

With Giolito sidelined, Boston's starting rotation depth will be tested early in the season with Kutter Crawford (knee) also unavailable.

"We're going to be tested right away," Cora told reporters Thursday.

The 30-year-old Giolito signed a $38.5 million. two-year contract with Boston before last season, but didn't pitch all year after a partial tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. He was 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.