Red Sox Injury Update: Chris Martin IL decision, Masataka Yoshida, Tyler O'Neill

The Boston Red Sox have fallen injured at an alarming rate a third of the way through the season. As injuries accumulate, other players near their returns to the roster.

On June 4, news broke that the Red Sox were considering sending Chris Martin to the injured list. The following day, they made the move. The 38-year-old reliever has been placed on the 15-day IL with anxiety. His stint is retroactive to June 2, so he was already three days into his IL period when the move was made. Zack Kelley has been called up from Worcester to take his roster spot.

Martin's move to the IL is his first of the regular season, but the veteran dealt with a groin strain during spring training. He last pitched on May 30 against the Tigers and was rocked, by his standards — he gave up two homers and another earned run in his inning of work.

Besides that outing, Martin has been solid. Thirteen of his most recent 15 appearances have been scoreless and he's an anchor in Boston's bullpen.

Red Sox place Chris Martin on IL, Tyler O'Neill activated, Masataka Yoshida nears return to action

Boston's slugging outfielder Tyler O'Neill was placed on the IL on May 29, retroactive to May 26, with knee inflammation. He participated in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on June 4 and he's expected to be activated to fave the Braves at Fenway Park on June 5.

Many fans sensed that something was amiss with the outfielder — after he shot out to 11 early homers this season, O'Neill has seriously slumped in recent games. He batted .151/.244/.301 in May and he only collected 11 hits last month compared to 20 in April.

Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu was placed on the IL retroactive to June 3, so O'Neill's return to the lineup should alleviate some pressure on Boston's pastures. He'll bat fifth in the Red Sox's afternoon tilt with the Braves.

Masataka Yoshida could be another option for the Sox's outfield upon his return to the lineup. Boston's manager Alex Cora announced that Yoshida will begin his rehab assignment over the weekend of June 8.

The Red Sox expect Yoshida to need a few games in the minors before he's ready to re-join the big-league squad, but a mid-June return is on the table. The designated hitter was beginning to hit his stride when he went on the IL with a thumb strain over a month ago, and his return should bring more consistency to the plate for Boston.

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