Red Sox Injury Update: Trio of pitchers take the next step toward recovery
Three Red Sox hurlers are inching closer to making their returns
While we’re all celebrating one hell of a comeback victory, something the Red Sox do better than any other team in the league, we received some more good news on Sunday. As Boston marches toward October and gets their ticket closer to being punched with every win, they could be getting some firepower to push them over the line. We all know the names that are in the IL and are trying to work their way back to Fenway Park, and that work is about to pay off in a big way.
The biggest pro for the Red Sox through the first chunk of the season has been the health of their pitching staff. Between the starters and relievers, this club has been incredibly lucky as far as injuries are concerned. It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows though as the team has had a few hiccups here and there. Thankfully the few clouds we’ve seen this season are about to part and the sun is ready to come back out.
Today saw good news in regards to Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, and Ryan Brasier. All three have played massive roles in the success of his team in the past and the trio will be needed for the Sox to get back to the Fall Classic. Beefing up the pitching on both ends of the game will not only increase Boston’s chances but will give them a massive boost where other teams have issues. With all that being said, let’s take a look at where these three land on the injury report!
Red Sox SP Eduardo Rodriguez
When Eduardo was pulled from his start early the other night I was heartbroken for him. A guy that’s been put through the worst of the worst and another hurdle was thrown in his way. Luckily for him and all of us, he was removed from the game due to migraine symptoms.
Now, I don’t mess with migraines as they’ve been some of the worst things I’ve ever dealt with. So I don’t want anyone to have to deal with them but in the grand scheme of life, I’m glad that’s all it was.
We all know of Eddie’s history with COVID and myocarditis and with so little still known about the long-term effects of the virus, I’ll admit I was a bit worried this was a new wrinkle. Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke to the media before today’s lunchtime clash with the Yankees and gave an update on the big lefty.
“Eddie is going to get his work in today and tomorrow,” Cora said Sunday morning. “He’s starting on Thursday. He’s feeling better. So everything is going to go according to plan.”
AC spoke to E-Rod last night and said the southpaw was feeling much better and will be back on the mound on Thursday against Toronto. We still don’t know if the migraine can be linked to everything he went through in 2019 but as long as he’s feeling better I’m thrilled.
He’s seen a massive bounceback in his last handful of starts and I want to see him finish this season off strong. Eddie has logged a 7-5 record through 96.1 innings this season with a 10.6 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, and a 1.349 WHIP.
Red Sox SP Chris Sale
This is the one that should get Red Sox Nation the most excited. Christopher Allen Sale is getting closer and closer to making his MLB return and the league should be put on notice. Not only is he pitching as well as he did when he was healthy, but not he has hit off-field routine firing on all cylinders too. Getting him healthy as well as taking better care of himself before and after his starts could mean huge things for Boston going forward.
Chris Sale's next start will be in Triple-A Worcester next Saturday. Final tune-up before he returns, perhaps?
— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) July 25, 2021
Sale made another rehab start this afternoon for the Portland Sea Dogs. The veteran lefty tossed 3.2 innings of work where he allowed two earned runs on six hits. The big story from his outing today was that he struck out nine and his fastball touch 96mph.
He’s now consistently getting whiffs from the opposition while his heater is staying in the mid to upper 90s. In the videos I’ve seen in his last two starts with Portland his slider has looked absolutely filthy and that makes me happy.
It was announced after his start today that he would make his next rehab assignment in Worcester for the Woo Sox at Polar Park. Getting to Triple-A ahead of schedule is a good sign for The Condor and we could be seeing him back in Boston real soon.
It was initially expected he’d be back sometime in mid-August but he looks well ahead of schedule. Cora did joke yesterday that there isn’t a set number of rehab starts left for Sale and that it could be one or a dozen, only the team knows.
The man that has become known as The Boogeyman as of late is ready to start haunting the league and the AL East better be worried.
Red Sox RP Ryan Brasier
Just a slide ago I said the impending return of Chris Sale should get Red Sox Nation the most excited, but this one should make everyone the happiest. To say that Ryan Brasier has had a miserable year would be an understatement. It seems like someone put a curse on the righty and he hasn’t been able to shake the bad vibes. Today could give us a glimpse into some positivity coming his way as he’s we’ve gotten an update from the club on his status.
The reliever tossed a bullpen session the other day and has another scheduled for tomorrow. While a pitcher throwing a bullpen session shouldn’t be anything special, for Brasier it definitely is. A broken finger over the winter, the passing of his Father right as the spring is kicking off, a calf strain that’s kept him on the IL, and then the terrible accident he suffered a few weeks ago.
“Obviously this is at a slow pace,” manager Alex Cora said Sunday morning. “We don’t want to get too excited. I’m just happy that he’s doing baseball activities.”
About a month ago he was hit in the head by a line drive that would require him to spend time in the hospital for observation. He suffered a concussion and was taken out of baseball activities for the foreseeable future. Just the fact that he was back on the mound in any capacity within just a few weeks of the accident is great news.
He may still be miles away from returning to the Red Sox in a Major League effort, but knowing he’s making progress is more than enough right now. There’s no timetable for any sort of rehab but this is a massive step in the right direction.
Looking ahead for the Red Sox
There’s a lot of season left and in the same breath there really isn’t July only has a few days left in it and then it’s onto the playoff push for the Red Sox. Today’s massive, league-leading comeback victory gave them a series win against the Yankees while also giving them the season series win over the Bronx Bombers. At the same time, the Tampa Bay Rays lose their game against the Guardians and now Boston has sole possession of first place again.
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This team is clicking in a way that we haven’t seen since the 2013 squad. While 2018 was the most dominant team in franchise history they never felt threatened. This roster is fighting for every win on every night and the level of heart that they’re showing means they’re never out of it. They’re spent a majority of the season atop the AL East and they sure as hell don’t want to let that grip slip this close to the end.
Getting back E-Rod this week and potentially Sale within the next couple of weeks instantly makes the Red Sox a postseason favorite. If Brasier can continue his road to health and recovery he could play a factor once October comes and the serious work begins. All I know is that watching this team day in and day out has been a highlight of 2021 and seeing some of these arms back on the mound will only make it that much better.
Next. Raffy Devers reaches 100 career homers. dark
Next on the schedule is a four-game homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays, who the Sox just slaughtered up in Buffalo. This would complete 13 games against the AL East in 15 days with three games against Tampa coming right after the Jays series. This three-week stand is beyond important for Boston and if they can come out with a winning record they could be knocking at the postseason door.