The Boston Red Sox have been without World Series MVP Steve Pearce for much of the season and it looks like he won’t be returning anytime soon.
Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce played a major role in winning the World Series this past season, so much so that he was named Series MVP. However, this season it feels like the carriage has turned back into a pumpkin for Pearce as he’s been a relative non-factor in 2019.
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Pearce missed the early part of the season due to a pesky calf injury and wouldn’t be available for the first part of the year. When he did return though he had to make up the time he missed at the beginning of the season as well as time at the end of spring training. Unfortunately, he never got into any sort of groove and was more of a liability than anything when in the lineup.
After missing a few games due to some back spasms Pearce would eventually be shut down again on June 1st. He’s made a few rehabs attempts but has yet to get healthy enough to make anything of the recovery. During a recent rehab game, Pearce fell and injured his knee which will further delay his return to the Red Sox roster.
Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski spoke to the media this week and informed everyone of Pearce’s status.
"“It hadn’t bothered him and then all of a sudden it was bothering him,” Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday at Rogers Centre. “So we recalled his rehab, got him checked by the doctor. And he’s going to be out for a while now. Something wrong with his knee. He’s not going to need surgery. He’s going to need rehab. But it’s going to keep him out for an extended period at this point. I would say probably around a month would be my guess.”"
This recent setback stamps a big question mark on the status of Pearce for the remainder of the season. This could always be something that a good amount of rest and rehab can heal but as Red Sox fans know, the knee is nothing to mess with. With the All-Star break just days away, the Red Sox and Steve have some much needed time to evaluate options ahead of the trade deadline on July 31st.
Michael Chavis has stepped up massively and has held down the mantle at first while Pearce and fellow veteran Mitch Moreland heal up. Chavis has taken to first with ease as he has experience at the position. Not only has his defense been impressive for a rookie that has been moved around the diamond this season, but his bat has been strong as well.
With Chavis doing so well at first there is no rush for either Moreland or Pearce to return before they’re at full strength. Steve Pearce will be a free agent once this season ends and with how this year has gone I don’t see the Red Sox bringing him back again. Between the injuries and lack of production when healthy it just doesn’t seem plausible to give him another contract.
Red Sox Nation will forever be thankful for the heroics of Steve Pearce en route to Boston’s fourth World Series crown in 15 years. But with injuries beginning to pile up and time running out on his contract, his time in Beantown may nearly be finished. If he can heal from these recent injuries I’m sure he’ll be looking to salvage what he can of the 2019 season.