As is often the case at the start of spring training, the Boston Red Sox arrived at camp with multiple injuries to report. Luckily, many have been short-term ailments and recovery updates.
Wilyer Abreu arrived at Fenway South with a gastrointestinal infection and has been sidelined from baseball activities for all of spring training so far. The Gold Glove winner has been cleared to work out, but he cannot begin baseball activities until his labs come back totally clear.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Chistopher Smith of MassLive that Abreu underwent more lab tests on Feb. 26 and that the team expects his results soon. Hopefully, Abreu is healthy and cleared soon so he can begin playing in spring training games with Opening Day just one month away.
The Red Sox also issued a positive update on Lucas Giolito, who underwent the internal brace procedure to repair his damaged UCL last spring training. The internal brace procedure is advertised to have a shorter recovery period than Tommy John surgery, and Giolito may be proving that correct.
Giolito threw his first live batting practice on Feb. 25, and Cora reported he felt "good" afterward. The righty is now ready for the next step in his recovery progression — a two-inning live batting practice, which Cora said Giolito is expected to throw on Sunday, March 2.
Both Cora and Giolito have said the righty is on track to be ready by Opening Day, which recently became all the more critical. Injuries to Kutter Crawford and Brayan Bello have thinned the Sox's rotation, and Giolito's health will be critical to the team's starting depth until both are healthy.
Alex Cora gives updates on Red Sox injuries, including Wilyer Abreu, Lucas Giolito, Masataka Yoshida and Connor Wong
Masataka Yoshida has also reached another milestone in his rehab from his October labrum repair surgery. The Red Sox's 2024 designated hitter was recently cleared to face live pitching in a batting practice session.
Cora said there's "a chance" the seven-year Nippon Professional Baseball veteran may start DHing soon, but his progression will depend on how his shoulder feels after the BP. The Red Sox hope to use Yoshida in the outfield again this coming season, but his throwing progression is well behind his batting recovery, so it'll be a while before he dons a glove in the field.
Red Sox starting catcher Connor Wong is also healing a shoulder issue. He hasn't yet appeared in a Grapefruit League game due to shoulder soreness. Wong is slated to take live BP on Feb. 27 and 28, and Boston is targeting Saturday for his spring training game debut.
Wong posted a breakout season at the plate last year with a .280/.333/.425 slash line and .758 OPS over 126 games. After Danny Jansen signed with the Rays in free agency and Kyle Teel was traded to the White Sox for Garrett Crochet, Wong was Boston's only big-league catcher. Even after the Sox added Blake Sabol and Carlos Narvaez, Wong's health will be critical before Opening Day, as Narvaez only has six games of major league experience.