Red Sox star rookie's imminent return could continue team's hot streak

The Boston Red Sox fared surprisingly well while their well-rounded rookie right fielder was on the injured list. But his return to action could bring more electricity to Boston's recently stellar baseball.

Wilyer Abreu is expected to return to the Red Sox's roster after almost three weeks on the IL with a sprained right ankle. Abreu stumbled down the Fenway Park dugout steps on June 2 during Boston's series finale against the Tigers.

His injury felt like a crushing blow to the Sox's lineup. Tyler O'Neill fell injured around the same time as Abreu and the Red Sox's stash of outfielders was the thinnest it had been all season. But Rob Refsnyder's quality campaign continued and he held down the fort nicely alongside Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela.

Now that O'Neill is back, he and the rest of the Red Sox outfield have been on a hot streak. Abreu's rehab appearances suggest he's ready to tack on to their success.

Wilyer Abreu's return could make the streaking Red Sox even better

The young lefty struggled on his first night with the WooSox and went hitless to open his rehab outing. However, he quickly found his footing and launched two solo homers the following night. Abreu slashed .250/.308/.750 with a walk and three strikeouts in his three games with Worcester.

Abreu is expected to join the Red Sox for their three-game series in Cincinnati starting June 21, but manager Alex Cora shared that he may not play until the following day. Boston's outfield offense has been explosive in its past few games and Cora may move Rafaela — who's slashing .386/.417/.491 in his last 15 games — back to the infield to keep his bat in the order.

Abreu's return comes just in time to make a late push for the American League All-Star team and to get his name back in the running for Rookie of the Year. Hopefully, he can fall back into step with the Red Sox's electric outfield and help his squad maintain its hot streak.

More Red Sox reads: