When Marcelo Mayer underwent season-ending wrist surgery in August, it was a devastating blow – not only for the rookie himself, but for the Boston Red Sox as they prepared to make a final push toward the playoffs.
Just over a month later, the Red Sox have punched their ticket to the postseason after beating the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park – and they've managed to get here even without Mayer in their lineup.
Given his projected recovery timeline of three months, it was presumed that Mayer would not be an option for the Red Sox in October in the event of a postseason run. However, manager Alex Cora provided an update on the 22-year-old rookie on Friday that offered a glimmer of hope for a potential playoff return.
Cora told reporters (including Tim Healey of The Boston Globe) that Mayer was already playing catch and taking dry swings as part of his recovery. When asked whether Mayer would be an option for the Red Sox this year, Cora gave an intriguing answer.
"I mean, I bet he's pushing," he said.
The lack of a definitive "no" from Cora on Mayer's potential postseason availability opens the door to a scenario that Red Sox fans thought to be impossible – one in which both Mayer and fellow rookie Roman Anthony are able to return from their respective injuries in time to contribute to a Boston playoff run.
Marcelo Mayer injury update offers Red Sox glimmer of hope for potential postseason return
Mayer slashed a rather pedestrian .228/.272/.402 over 136 plate appearances this season with four homers and 10 RBI, but his defensive prowess at second base stood out. Anthony's bat was more impactful from the jump, as he hit to a .292 average with eight homers and 32 RBI in 71 games before going down with an oblique injury.
Needless to say, Red Sox fans shouldn't be banking on either Mayer or Anthony to return in time to make meaningful contributions in the playoffs. Mayer's timeline still doesn't put him back on the field until November, and Anthony's injury will keep him out at least until the ALCS (if Boston makes it that far).
Nonetheless, the latest update on Mayer is promising – and, if nothing else, a positive sign that he will be at full strength in time for spring training next year.
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