Major League Baseball’s free-agency window is officially open, and the Boston Red Sox chose not to extend a one-year qualifying offer to right-hander Lucas Giolito.

The 31-year-old had been the likeliest eligible player from the 2025 Red Sox roster to have received the deal, which was set by the league at $22.05 million.

Giolito posted a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts, including a 2.51 ERA over his final 19 starts, after missing all of 2024 with an internal brace procedure. Though he missed the postseason with elbow soreness, he has returned to an offseason throwing program.

Earlier in the week, the Red Sox and Giolito declined a $19 million mutual option for 2026, but the qualifying offer was still on the table ahead of Thursday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline. Had Giolito been given the offer but signed elsewhere, the Red Sox would have gained an additional pick in the 2026 draft.

Now Giolito enters free agency without a qualifying offer attached, perhaps helping his market as clubs are often hesitant to lose draft picks for such signings.

From the Red Sox perspective, not giving Giolito the offer raises a few questions. It’s possible the club felt Giolito had not bounced back well enough from the elbow soreness at the end of the season. It’s also possible that the Red Sox felt $22.05 million for Giolito was too high a salary given the chance he may have accepted the deal. A team source declined to offer details on why there was no offer.

The Red Sox are in search of a No. 2 starter to slot behind Garrett Crochet, in addition to a power hitter for the middle of the order. They have also expressed interest in a reunion with free agent Alex Bregman. Rather than offer Giolito $22.05 million, the team may be opting to use that money elsewhere in free agency.

Giolito could still sign a longer deal with the Red Sox, even if the team opted not to extend the qualifying offer. The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected Giolito to sign a three-year, $57 million deal this offseason.

Behind Crochet and Brayan Bello, Boston’s rotation entering next season is in flux. Several starters who missed all or most of last season with injury are competing for spots, including Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Hunter Dobbins and Richard Fitts. Rookies Payton Tolle and Connelly Early are also in the mix, but none of those pitchers are locks for the rotation.

Now that free agency has begun, the Red Sox will have plenty of work to do to begin filling out the roster for next season.