Garrett Crochet takes major step toward potential Red Sox postseason return

Garrett Crochet cleared one of his biggest remaining hurdles Tuesday, facing live hitters at Fenway Park for the first time since his comeback attempt stalled in late May.

The Red Sox ace threw 16 pitches to Ceddanne Rafaela, reaching 94-96 mph with his fastball while pitching at an intensity level he hadn’t reached during his lengthy rehab from left shoulder inflammation.

Crochet was originally scheduled for 15 pitches but added one after spiking a changeup into the dirt on what would have been his final offering.

“You don’t know until you know, I suppose. I would say the way that live just went that I could go get outs,” Crochet said. “It depends, obviously, what role they want me in. Like I said, it’s not really for me to say. I know myself and I know my body, and the biggest thing is that I felt good out there.”

The session represented significant progress for Crochet, who hasn’t pitched in a game since April after making only six starts before landing on the injured list. What initially appeared to be a short-term shoulder issue has instead cost him nearly five months.

With the minor league season over, Crochet no longer has the option of beginning a traditional rehab assignment. If the Red Sox want to see him in game action before the postseason, they would have to activate him during the final homestand.

Chad Tracy said Crochet’s velocity continues to climb and that the spin on his pitches looked sharp. The immediate priority is seeing how the left-hander responds physically before determining his next step.

“What that looks like now, I don’t know,” Tracy said. “I just know that whatever it is, it’s going to be done with Garrett’s best interest in mind.”

The Wild Card Series begins Sept. 29, leaving Boston only a handful of opportunities to determine whether Crochet can contribute out of the bullpen.

Crochet believes he could get major league hitters out right now, but he also acknowledged the difficult roster decision Boston faces if it brings him back.

“This team has had a great year. I think for me to take a spot on the roster, then someone would have to lose one, and I would feel bad doing that because this team has pitched their (butts) off the whole season,” Crochet said. “Ultimately that’s going to be something that’s up to the front office, and whenever they gauge that I’m ready, then I’ll accept that. And in the meantime, I’m just going to keep working my butt off.”

Tracy believes Crochet’s makeup would allow him to handle being thrown directly into a postseason environment, but the Red Sox also have to determine how much he could realistically provide after such a long absence.