Out Since April, Garrett Crochet Joins Boston's Bullpen for the Yankees Series

A year ago Garrett Crochet struck out 11 Yankees over 7 2/3 innings to win the opener of the wild-card series. This time he'll come out of the bullpen, if he pitches at all.

The Red Sox put their left-hander on the roster for the best-of-three series that starts Tuesday night in the Bronx. Crochet hasn't pitched in a game since April because of shoulder inflammation. He threw in the mid-90s in two live batting practice sessions in Fort Myers last week.

"He's worked very hard to get everything back strong the way it needs to be, but we're still going to be evaluating him daily to see where he's at," manager Chad Tracy said.

It was a hard year for a pitcher who finished second in the AL Cy Young voting last season. Crochet went 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA in six starts before going on the injured list. So Boston is taking a chance on a two-time All-Star with little recent work, in a series where one inning can decide things.

Rookie lefty Payton Tolle starts Game 1, and he's one of seven left-handers on the roster. Setup man Tyron Guerrero, out since Sept. 1 with right shoulder inflammation, isn't on it. Utility players Nate Eaton and Andruw Monasterio are.

Boston also caught a break: the Yankees left Aaron Judge off their roster. Game 1 is Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with Game 2 on Wednesday at the same time.