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Boston Red Sox injury updates: Mookie Betts, Koji Uehara, Rick Porcello close to returning

By Sean Penney

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There hasn’t been a whole lot of good news surrounding the Boston Red Sox lately, but there is some that the team revealed on Saturday as it relates to their injury situation. It seems a few players are on the mend and could be returning to the team soon.

Outfielder Mookie Betts has been sidelined since tumbling over the right field wall on July 28, but he has passed the concussion protocols to make him eligible to resume baseball activities. He is expected to join Double-A Portland for their game in Akron on Sunday before returning to the Red Sox when they head to Miami on Tuesday.

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Jackie Bradley, Jr. has been handling center field duties while Betts has been out, but it’s unclear if he will be the one optioned back to Pawtucket to clear room to activate Betts. Bradley is hitting only .133 over his last 6 games and has yet to prove that he’s capable of hitting at the major league level, but he would provide the team with an excellent defensive replacement if they choose to keep him around on the bench.

Closer Koji Uehara gave the Red Sox a scare Friday night when he was drilled on the forearm by a line drive off the bat of Ian Kinsler. Uehara recovered to throw the runner out at first to end the game, but was in noticeable pain as he walked off the mound. Luckily the Red Sox may have dodged a bullet, as it appears Uehara will be fine. While he admits that he was still sore the next day, there has been some improvement and he does not expect to be out long.

Manager John Farrell said that Uehara will be unavailable today and most likely tomorrow as well, but he seems to have avoided serious harm. Junichi Tazawa and Jean Machi could be candidates to close while Uehara is out.

Right-hander Rick Porcello may be ready for a minor-league rehab start by the end of next week. Given how poorly his season is going, the Red Sox may want to give him more than just one start in the minors as he works his way back. Porcello is last in the league among qualified starters with a 5.81 ERA.

A roster spot opened up after the Red Sox traded Mike Napoli to Texas Friday night, so Deven Marrero has been recalled to fill it. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval has been dealing with a jammed thumb, but he remains in the lineup on Saturday. Marrero provides the team with added infield insurance in case the injury to Sandoval gets any worse.

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