The Boston Red Sox have been visited by the injury bug countless times in the young 2024 season, but some of their injury woes will end soon.
The Red Sox have been down three starters since April 24 when Brayan Bello was placed on the 15-day injured list with lat tightness. Nick Pivetta went down first with a flexor strain, and Garrett Whitlock quickly followed with an oblique strain.
Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta prepare for their returns to the Red Sox lineup
Pivetta made his first rehab start with the WooSox on May 2, and the Sox expect him back with the big-league club soon. Bello seems to be next in line for his return to action and he'll make his first rehab start in Portland on May 7. Manager Alex Cora expects Bello will need just one rehab start before he returns to action.
Whitlock is also approaching his reinstatement to the lineup. He threw his first bullpen session on May 4 at Target Field during the Sox's series against the Twins. He told reporters he felt good after the session, and Cora expects him to need more preparation before he is returned to the lineup.
Red Sox' Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen Saturday. “This is just the beginning of the throwing progression,” Cora said. “So probably a few more bullpens, live (BP). With him it was longer than expected so of course a rehab start, maybe two.”
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) May 4, 2024
Masataka Yoshida to get second opinion on thumb strain on May 8
The Red Sox have been without Masataka Yoshida since he jammed his hand during an at-bat against the Cubs on April 29. The designated hitter was placed on the IL with a thumb strain on May 1, retroactive to the date of his injury. Yoshida and the Red Sox gave mixed messages about the nature of his injury at first, but now it seems more severe than originally expected.
Cora said there was concern for Yoshida's hand on the night of the incident. Shortly after, Yoshida himself said that he would wait to see how he felt the next day. Now, the Red Sox have said that surgery is not off the table, and Yoshida will get a second opinion on his thumb on May 8.
Rob Refsnyder pulled from May 5 Red Sox game with injury
Ever since his fractured pinky toe has healed, Rob Refsnyder has been a star for the Red Sox. The outfielder is batting .351/.467/.622 in 14 games since his return from the IL.
But Refsnyder was pulled in the fifth inning of Boston's May 5 matchup with the Twins. After the game, Cora announced that the veteran was battling hamstring tightness and was pulled as a precaution.
Cora expects Refsnyder to be OK and not to need a second stint on the IL, which is great news for the Red Sox. Refsnyder is a lefty killer and he could be of great use to his squad against Chris Sale on Wednesday if he feels well enough to play.