Boston Red Sox fans hoping for a swift return of starter Kutter Crawford will have to wait a little longer. The right-hander, who was on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, has been pulled back to Boston after experiencing a setback.

Manager Alex Cora revealed ahead of Tuesday's game that Crawford was dealing with soreness in his elbow following his lone rehab outing. While the team isn't considered overly concerned and hasn't scheduled any imaging, the hiccup delays his path back to the major league mound.

For a pitcher coming off a breakout 2024 campaign where he led the team in innings, this is a frustrating pause. Crawford was building back from right wrist surgery that ended his 2025 season last July, and his rehab start showed predictable rust—he allowed five runs over three innings, including three home runs.

This latest elbow soreness adds another chapter to a challenging year for the 28-year-old. After starting the season on the IL, he and Patrick Sandoval were seen as frontrunners for the fifth starter job this spring, but delays in their ramp-up opened the door for rookie Connelly Early to seize the role.

For now, Crawford's immediate future is back in a holding pattern. The Red Sox will monitor his elbow closely, hoping this is just a minor bump in the road as he works to reclaim his spot in a rotation that could use his proven durability and swing-and-miss ability.