Hours before the Boston Red Sox attempt to stave off a sweep against the Los Angeles Angels, Alex Cora shared some unfortunate injury news regarding Alex Bregman and Kutter Crawford.
Bregman has been sidelined since May 24 with a calf strain, similar to one he sustained in 2021 that kept him on the IL for nearly two months. Shortly after his injury, Bregman reported that he felt he was recovering at "warp speed," but Cora's latest update suggests the infielder still needs quite a bit of time to get going again.
Cora said it "looks like" Bregman won't be reinstated until after the All-Star break, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Play resumes after the All-Star game on July 18, but Cora didn't give an exact estimate for his return. His absence could be close to the two-month mark, like his quad injury from four seasons ago.
The Red Sox's offense has been lackluster with Bregman out of the lineup, especially since the Rafael Devers trade. Bregman is slashing .299/.385/.553 with a .938 OPS over 51 games, which is the best start to any season he's ever had. The Red Sox are desperate for his offensive production, especially as the trade deadline approaches. The news that Bregman will be out for another three weeks could be devastating for Boston's deadline approach and postseason hopes.
Alex Bregman likely won't return to Red Sox until after All-Star break, Kutter Crawford to undergo wrist surgery
Cora also updated reporters on Crawford's injury recovery progress, which has screeched to a halt of late. The righty will undergo wrist surgery, which could end his season before it even started. Cora said his wrist pain stems from an accidental injury off the field.
Crawford has been on the IL since the start of the season with patellar tendinopathy. He arrived to spring training with the knee issue and he hasn't pitched an inning in the big leagues this year. He began throwing live bullpen sessions in May to ramp up his rehab, but the wrist injury derailed his plans. The Red Sox shut him down from throwing due to his wrist pain on June 21.
Crawford was expected to join the Red Sox as a rotation depth option in the second half of the season. They could certainly use the extra arms with Hunter Dobbins and Tanner Houck on the IL, and Walker Buehler and Lucas Giolito's inconsistency.
Boston during the offseason signed Patrick Sandoval, another starter, who's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He may be able to pitch this season if all goes well with his recovery and he could take Crawford's role as a rotation depth arm.