The Boston Red Sox are off to an ice-cold start to the 2022 MLB season. Entering the year as potential AL East winners, Boston has quickly erased that narrative, stumbling out the gate to an abysmal 10-18 start. Things only stand to get worse for the Red Sox, too. On Sunday, the team revealed that starting pitcher Michael Wacha would be headed to the 15-day IL as he deals with what's being described as intercostal irritation.

This is a big loss for the Red Sox, as Wacha had been one of their few bright spots in the early part of this season. The 30-year-old has started 5 games this season, logging a 3-0 record with a 1.38 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 26.1 innings. Wacha and Nathan Eovaldi have been the two most consistent pitchers on the Red Sox, so losing Wacha for an extended period of time is a crushing blow.

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With Wacha headed to the IL, a move which has been made retroactively to May 5, the Red Sox have promoted right-hander Tyler Danish to the big leagues. Wacha will first be eligible to return on May 21, though it's unclear if he'll need additional time to mend his intercostal ailment.

Having been a journeyman since leaving the Cardinals in 2019, Wacha has played for the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, and now the Red Sox. After recording an ERA above 5.00 in each of his past two seasons, Wacha finally seemed ready to turn things around in 2022. Hopefully, this stint on the IL doesn't interrupt the groove he's been feeling on the mound and he's able to pick up where he left off when he's cleared to return.