Triston Casas reached up to touch his ribs after a hard-swinging strike on April 20, Boston Red Sox fans feared the worst.
Casas took a big swing at a pitch from Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller and recoiled in pain as he stepped out of the batter's box. Boston's manager Alex Cora pulled Casas from the game after the first frame ended. After the game, the first baseman shared that he was in considerable pain.
As fans waited for days, the Red Sox shared Tuesday that Casas has a fractured rib and he's expected to be out for "a while." The slugger was originally placed on the 10-day injured list, but he's sure to be out longer than that.
Casas' extended absence won't be an easy one for the Sox. He's hit six homers in 22 games and his pace was quickening in the lead-up to his injury. Casas is batting .244/.344/.513 with 12 walks and 10 RBI. The first baseman's defense has also improved considerably since last season and he's made some stunning plays early on.
Triston Casas out with fractured rib, Red Sox may have solution in Garrett Cooper
Triston Casas has a rib fracture and will be out "a while," via multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/vkfqMvMUbo
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 23, 2024
Bobby Dalbec has been getting the majority of the reps at first base in Casas' absence, but the 29-year-old isn't having much success at the plate, which is Casas' biggest contribution to the lineup. Dalbec is slashing .033/.121/.067 and has just one hit and 18 strikeouts in 30 at-bats.
The Red Sox may be better off looking to the outside for reinforcements, and the Chicago Cubs just DFA'd Garrett Cooper, who could help Boston remedy its infield injury woes.
Cooper is an eight-year MLB veteran and experienced slugger. He spent the majority of his career in Miami and he earned an All-Star appearance there in 2022. The majority of his 2022-23 seasons were split between first base and designated hitter in the Marlins' lineup.
Cooper is right-handed, which would add some much-needed diversity to Boston's left-handed dominant batting order. He's hitting .270/.341/.432 from his 12 games with the Cubs and he's posted one double, one triple and a homer.
The veteran's offensive skill set won't make up for Casas' absence from the lineup, but he's been swinging the bat better than Dalbec. The Red Sox need all the help they can get on both sides of the ball, and they should jump to claim Cooper off waivers if the opportunity arises.