In recent days, Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas took an important step toward returning to Boston’s lineup.
Casas, who has been out since mid-April with torn cartilage in his rib cage, told The Boston Globe that he has started swinging a bat in recent days. Casas has taken roughly 30 dry swings — swings without making contact with anything — over the past couple of days.
Manager Alex Cora was informed during his pregame media session that Casas had taken that step and said it was a very good sign that Casas is progressing. A South Florida native, Casas has previously said that his goal is to be back in action around July 1, just in time for the Sox’ three-game series against the Marlins in Miami from July 2-4.
Cora still doesn’t have an exact timetable for Casas’ return.
“I haven’t talked to (the medical staff) about Casas but if that’s the case, that’s a good sign,” Cora said. “I know he has this goal in mind of the time we go to Miami. Hopefully, that’s the case. We’ve got to be smart. He needs to be smart. And so far, he has been outstanding with it.
Casas dealt with increasing pain in his midsection throughout April before leaving an April 20 game in Pittsburgh with growing discomfort. He was placed on the IL the next day and it was revealed he had suffered a tear that he likened to a “car crash” inside his body.
Casas won’t be the first key Red Sox contributor to return to action in the coming weeks, as three others on the injured list could return during next week’s road trip to Toronto (Monday-Wednesday) and Cincinnati (Friday-Sunday).
Utility man Romy Gonzalez (left hamstring strain) is off Saturday but will play his third rehab game with Triple-A Worcester as the first baseman Sunday in Buffalo. There, he will be joined by reliever Chris Martin (anxiety), who will throw an inning for the WooSox. If all goes well, it sounds like both players could be active for Monday’s series opener at Rogers Centre, which is about 100 miles from Buffalo.
Outfielder Wilyer Abreu (right ankle sprain) is less likely to return against the Jays but may return in Cincinnati. He ran the bases Saturday at full speed and is getting close to a rehab assignment, which will likely take place early next week in Worcester when the WooSox return home to face Columbus.
“We’ll talk about what we’re going to do during the week,” Cora said. “I think going down there and playing one game in the outfield will be beneficial for him and for us to know where we’re at. Then we’ll decide what we’ll do (Cincy).”
