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Red Sox injury update: Brock Holt and Pablo Sandoval progressing

By Daniel Cassese

Apr 13, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Brock Holt (12) takes the field prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Brock Holt (12) takes the field prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Red Sox utility man Holt could return as early as next week and third baseman Pablo Sandoval is nearing a rehab assignment.

Brock Holt has been out of the lineup since April 21 with recurring bouts of vertigo. He’s currently rehabbing with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and completed his sixth rehab game Saturday. After collecting a pair of hits in as many at-bats Friday, Holt went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Prior to the game, Red Sox manager John Farrell had said that the club was hopeful they could make a decision on whether to activate Holt Saturday. If the club decides that all is well, his activation will come in time for their upcoming two-game series in St. Louis.

Third base continues to be a black hole for the Red Sox 36 games into the regular season. The position has seen a revolving door of players due to injury, while none of the replacement candidates have staked claim to a permanent job. With only fringe players available at the moment, namely Josh Rutledge and Deven Marrero, the addition of Holt to the roster will be welcome news.

Collectively, Red Sox third basemen rank last in the American League with a .584 OPS and 13 errors prior to Saturday’s game. No other team in baseball has more than eight at the position.

Meanwhile, Pablo Sandoval continues to progress from a right knee sprain that has kept him out of action since April 25. He has resumed light baseball activities and agility training while under the watchful eye of team trainers. Until the Red Sox have faith that his lateral movement and stability are where they need to be, a rehab stint in the minors remains out of the question.

He’ll continue working towards that threshold over the coming week as he is set to travel with the team to St. Louis. Following the road trip, the Red Sox will determine his readiness.

Prior to hitting the DL, Sandoval was batting .213/.269/.377 with three home runs and ten runs batted in. The poor slash line is indicative of his inability to find consistency while he was healthy, but the three home runs do provide for some potential upside. Regardless, what’s left of Sandoval’s raw talent is still an upgrade over Rutledge and Marrero.

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We should have more news on the status of both Holt and Sandoval by the end of the Red Sox’ weekend series with the Tampa Bay Rays. At the earliest, we could see Holt manning third base by Monday in St. Louis.

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