The Boston Red Sox's lineup has been decimated by injuries, particularly the infield and starting rotation.
Luckily for the Sox, two players are inching toward their return. However, one of the injured list stints and recovery outings will take longer than initially predicted.
The Red Sox estimated that Nick Pivetta would be able to return to action after his 15-day IL stint. Pivetta's stay on the IL was retroactive to April 6, which means Boston originally expected him to be able to play by April 21.
Pivetta has been combatting a flexor strain, and ulnar collateral ligament and flexor issues have already killed multiple pitchers' seasons this year, the Red Sox's Lucas Giolito included. Boston has been taking the righty's recovery slow, and he's slated to pitch live batting practice at Fenway Park before the Sox's upcoming series against the Cubs.
Vaughn Grissom and Nick Pivetta hopefully return to Red Sox lineup soon
A long list of injury updates on a Thursday afternoon. Sounds like Grissom will be back for the Giants series with Pivetta a week after that.https://t.co/FkwZTdEhse
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 25, 2024
After that, Boston expects Pivetta will make one or two rehab starts before he returns to the lineup. The going estimate is that he'll return for the Braves series in Atlanta from May 7-8, which would make his time on the sidelines far longer than originally theorized.
Thankfully, the Sox may get some help in the lineup sooner than Pivetta's return. Vaughn Grissom hasn't played a single game for his new team due to groin issues, but it's been reported that he may be able to play for the big-league squad during its series against the Giants, which begins on April 30.
Grissom is batting .227/.346/.318 in seven rehab appearances with the WooSox. The infielder is approaching his 20-day limit for his rehab assignment, so the Sox will be forced to call him up by May 1.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel for some of the Red Sox's injury woes. Boston's rotation held up surprisingly well after Pivetta's flexor strain, but his return and Grissom's introduction to his new team should bolster the Sox's play from both sides of the ball.