The Boston Red Sox received positive news about Willson Contreras ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Contreras left Sunday’s game after being hit by a pitch and missed Tuesday’s game due to a hand contusion. After missing Tuesday’s game, Contreras is back in the lineup on Wednesday, as the Red Sox revealed their lineup:
- J. Duran CF
- M. Gasper DH
- W. Abreu RF
- W. Contreras 1B
- M. Yoshida LF
- T. Story SS
- M. Mayer 2B
- C. Wong C
- C. Durbin 3B
Contreras being back in the lineup is great news for the Red Sox, as he’s a key part of the offense. Boston also needs all the help it can get on offense, so Contreras is only missing a game and not needing an IL stint, which should help Boston’s offense on Wednesday.
Contreras is hitting .259 with 8 home runs and 23 RBIs this season, as he’s been an impact hitter for Boston after the Red Sox pulled off a big trade for him this offseason.
Red Sox Weren’t Concerned About Contreras’ Injury
Although Contreras left Sunday’s game and wasn’t in the lineup on Tuesday, the Red Sox were confident it wouldn’t be a long-term injury.
Ahead of Boston’s series opener against the Phillies on Tuesday, interim manager Chad Tracy said Contreras was doing much better.
“He’s doing a lot better. Still a little sore, but he was able to get treatment and he was able to hit in the cage,” Tracy said. “He’s probably going to go out and hit some BP (Tuesday). We’re hopeful we’re going to be okay 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 wasn’t available off the bench in the series opener, but Tracy was confident he would return on Wednesday, which is the case.
Contreras is leading the Red Sox in home runs and RBIs as he’s been a key part of Boston’s offense this season.
Crochet & Anthony Getting Close to Return
Along with Contreras returning, Boston is close to getting Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony back.
Anthony is on the IL with a wrist sprain, and Tracy believes he’s getting closer and could be an option this weekend.
“Roman’s improving. Just small, incremental improvements,” said Tracy. “And we’ll just keep going until we get to the point where we feel like we’re in a good spot. He’s mostly strengthening and eventually we’ll get to strong gripping. The biggest thing for him is going to be, when do we get to feel like the grip strength is there? When we get there, we’re in a better spot. That’s what they’re focusing on.”
Crochet, meanwhile, was eligible to return on Tuesday but is still a bit away. Yet, the Red Sox’s ace is getting closer to a return.
“Progressing,” said Tracy. “… He threw out to 120 [feet]. I can date back to Sunday when he threw out to 120 and actually got on the mound. … It was catch play off the mound, call it 10 [throws of catch] on the mound, all of which felt good. So we continue to progress well there.”
The Red Sox are 17-24.
Red Sox Make Willson Contreras Decision Before Phillies Game