Sunday afternoon the Boston Red Sox had to pull one of their hottest players from the game as Brock Holt suffered a hamstring injury while trying to score.
It may sound dramatic but this season it feels like the Red Sox are in the fight of their lives. The defending champs came into the season with all the swagger of being the best while seemingly not respecting their upcoming opponents. Every other club worked to improve themselves this winter while Boston was content with not adding any new pieces to the puzzle.
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One of the high points in recent memory for the Red Sox has been the outstanding play of infielder Brock Holt. Though he started the season on the IL with a scratched cornea and shoulder impingement, he has been electric since his return to the club. More often than not since he joined the everyday roster Brock has found himself in the middle of the action on both sides of the game.
On Sunday, Boston was dealt a double dose of bad news as not only did they lose to Toronto but they lost Brock to a hamstring injury early on in the game. With some incredibly important games coming up on the schedule, Boston can’t afford to lose Holt for any true amount of time.
As of now, he hasn’t been added to the IL and will be day-to-day to give him a chance to rest up. This comes as a 1-2 punch as star third baseman Rafael Devers has also been out with a tweaked hamstring but looks to return to the field soon.
"“We’re grinding right now,” Holt said. “Lot of guys who are playing through some stuff. So I’m hoping this won’t be more than a day or so. We’ll play it by ear. But I feel better right now. The treatment seemed to help. So hopefully I’ll stay off of the IL.”"
For those who watched there had to be a feeling in the pit of their stomachs as Brock grabbed at his hamstring after being thrown out at home plate in the 3rd inning. He was waved home by Andy Barkett in an attempt to get something going early in the game. Which with how the offense has been so up and down, I don’t blame him at all for trying to get the run.
This isn’t the first time that Brock has had to deal with his pesky left hamstring as he missed 10 games last season with a similar issue. Much like with Devers who also has a poor history with hamstring problems, Brock doesn’t feel it’s as drastic an injury as last year. If Boston wants to make any sort of run at either the division or the Wild Card they’ll need a healthy Brock Holt.
"“Last year, I knew I pulled it,” Holt said. “You kind of feel the difference. This time it was tight going into the game. And just felt a little grab, almost like a cramp.”"
This Red Sox season feels like it’s had a cloud over it right from Opening Day. Whether it be the pitching, offense, or injuries, there just never seems to be any relief. Brock Holt has quickly made himself one of the most important members of this roster since his return from the IL. With Boston wanting to get back to their winning ways they’ll need to get Brock as healthy as possible and fast.