Triston Casas gives target date for return during appearance on Red Sox broadcast

June 5 marks the 40th day of Triston Casas' 60-day injured list stint. The Boston Red Sox have sorely missed their star first baseman during his absence.

But Casas gave the Sox and their fans an optimistic injury update during their game against the Braves at Fenway Park. The 24-year-old said he expects to start swinging a bat at the end of the week.

Casas has been sidelined with a rib cartilage injury since April 20. Doctors attributed his injury to his size and the speed at which his midsection rotates to swing the bat.

Swinging is the last step of Casas' recovery before he can begin a rehab assignment. The first baseman is eligible to come off the IL on June 21, but he shared that July 1 is his ideal return date.

Triston Casas announces ideal Red Sox return date, hopes to swing a bat by the end of the week

Casas donned a headset to speak with Dave O'Brien and Will Middlebrooks during the Sox's game against the Braves. He said he feels great, but that his injury heals best with time and rest and that he's been forced to strike a balance between activity and recovery.

Along with comments about his recovery status, Casas flexed his skills on the mic. He praised Wilyer Abreu for the stellar season he's put together on both sides of the ball and credited Rafael Devers for his improved defense and All-Star-caliber campaign. Sox fans have taken to social media to implore NESN to feature Casas on the broadcast more often.

Throughout his interview with NESN, Casas craned his neck to get a look at his teammates on the field — he's clearly itching to get back into action. The Red Sox still have around a month of baseball to play without Casas, but if his July 1 return date holds, he could be back for another huge second half of the season like the one he had last year.

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