The Boston Red Sox received fresh injury updates on Willson Contreras, Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet before facing the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday.
The updates arrive as Boston attempts to stabilize its lineup and pitching outlook during a critical stretch against the Phillies and Atlanta Braves, with concern continuing to surround multiple key contributors entering Tuesday night.
Willson Contreras Sits Out But Expected Back Midweek
Contreras, who took a pitch off his hand Sunday, is out of Tuesday’s starting lineup at Fenway Park for the series opener against the Phillies. But the 33-year-old first baseman is expected to return Wednesday, interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters. The 11-year veteran hit in the cage and is expected to take batting practice before first pitch, according to MassLive‘s Chris Cotillo.
“He’s doing a lot better,” Tracy said, as quoted by Cotillo. “Still a little sore, but he was able to get treatment and he was able to hit in the cage. He’s probably going to go out and hit some BP today. We’re hopeful we’re going to be OK there, but it just felt like today was a day to give him a little bit more rest and make sure he gets through all of that and feels good.”
Contreras is listed as day-to-day, with Tuesday marking only the third time in 41 games he has been absent from the starting lineup, MassLive reported. Initial scans taken Sunday revealed no fractures in the stricken hand.
With Contreras out, Mickey Gasper draws the start at first and slots second in the order against Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler — a rather surprising decision by Tracy. Gasper delivered three hits, including two doubles, in his season debut Sunday, giving the interim manager, who was Gasper’s manager at Triple-A Worcester, reason to push him near the top of the lineup.
“We are a little depleted,” Tracy said, as quoted by MassLive. “If we can get some quality at-bats up there on top and generate some traffic, why not try that?”
Red Sox Roman Anthony, Garrett Crochet Updates
Anthony remained restricted from baseball activities Tuesday, and Tracy characterized the 21-year-old outfielder’s recovery as an ongoing process. The focus of Anthony’s rehab for his hand injury centers on rebuilding grip strength. Tracy declined to commit to a return date when reporters asked whether Anthony could come off the injured list by Friday, WHDH-TV‘s Ari Alexander reported. Tracy said he wants Anthony’s grip strength back to normal before clearing the former No. 1 prospect to take swings in the cage.
Crochet, Boston’s left-handed ace starter, played catch off a mound Tuesday. That’s a step forward in his recovery, though the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder did not throw a bullpen session, Boston Herald Red Sox writer Mac Cerullo reported. Tracy described Crochet as progressing, but not ready to throw in the bullpen yet.
Red Sox Face Phillies, Braves in Critical Week
The Red Sox enter Tuesday’s opener at 17-23, but 7-6 under Tracy, who replaced fired manager Alex Cora on April 26. Boston remains well off the pace needed to escape the AL East cellar, but somehow stands just two games out of an American League Wild Card playoff spot. In other words, as frustrating, even excruciating, as the season has been for Boston so far, the Red Sox remain firmly in contention for postseason play — a fact that perhaps says more about the state of the AL than it does about the Red Sox.
Philadelphia arrives in Boston at 19-22 after going 10-3 under interim skipper Don Mattingly, CBS Sports‘ Mike Axisa noted.
For the second straight week, Boston sends left-hander Jovani Morán as an opener in front of Brayan Bello, deployed specifically to neutralize Phillies power lefties Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Bello was sharp in his last outing, posting seven innings in relief of Morán in Detroit, the 26-year-old righty’s best performance of the season.
Red Sox Get Injury Updates on Contreras, Anthony, Crochet Before Phillies Game