Injuries & Moves: Casas close to rehab assignment
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July 26: 1B Triston Casas could go on rehab assignment in about a week
The Red Sox could be reasonably close to getting back the big bat of Casas, who last played on April 20 before he was shut down with torn cartilage in his left rib cage. Casas has started taking batting practice indoors and could go on a Minor League rehab assignment in about a week, said chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. It remains to be seen how long Casas will play in the Minors, but he might able to speed up the process by hitting off the Trajekt machine, which mimics actual Major League pitchers.
“I think fortunately, there are technologies that allow us to accelerate that return and that you can kind of simulate game at-bats and at-bats against Major League-caliber stuff,” said Breslow. “I think a lot of that’s going to be driven by his comfort. He knows his body and knows what he’s recovering from. And so those conversations will be amongst [manager] Alex [Cora], the medical staff, Triston and me. But to some degree, we’re going to have to lean on him when he tells us that he’s ready.”
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Justin Slaten (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: August
A key setup man for the Red Sox, Slaten continues to play catch and should be cleared for mound work soon. Slaten was placed on the IL on July 12, and the move was made retroactive to July 9. The Red Sox are pleased with the progress he is making. (Last updated: July 26)
RHP Chris Martin (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: August or September
Martin has resumed his throwing program, which is good news for a team that struggled out of the bullpen in the first few games after the All-Star break. (Last updated: July 26)
2B Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: August
Grissom continued his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on July 26, serving as the DH. He has been rotating between DH and second base. Given how little Grissom has played this season due to a variety of leg injuries, his rehab assignment could be close to the maximum 20 days allowed. If he takes the whole 20 days, Grissom should return for the series against the Astros that starts on Aug. 9. (Last updated: July 26)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
1B Triston Casas (torn cartilage in left rib cage)
Expected return: August
According to Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, Casas could start a rehab assignment in the first few days of August. Casas has started taking batting practice indoors after multiple weeks of soft toss and tee work. (Last updated: July 26)
RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery)
Expected return: August or September
Hendriks threw another bullpen session at Fenway Park on July 26, but it remains unclear when he will throw to hitters. The key step will be for him to go on a Minor League rehab assignment. At that stage, the Red Sox will have a better idea of when he can come back. (Last updated: July 26)
RHP Bryan Mata (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
After the Red Sox acquired lefty James Paxton on July 26, they transferred Mata to the 60-day injured list. Mata continues to be unable to get healthy for an extended period. He was recently returned from his second Minor League rehab assignment of the season, this time due to right elbow inflammation. Mata had to exit his start for Triple-A Worcester after one inning on July 14. Mata, Boston’s No. 27 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is out of Minor League options. Once Mata is healthy, the Red Sox will have to activate him or designate him for assignment. (Last updated: July 26)
SS Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder)
Expected return: Late 2024 or start of ’25
It was initially assumed that Story wouldn’t play again until ’25 after he underwent surgery on April 12. Perhaps that will still be the case, but Story said on July 19 that his rehab is going well and he’s keeping open the possibility of playing again in ’24, particularly if the Red Sox make the playoffs. Story underwent a successful arthroscopic repair of the posterior labrum, with an open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture of the glenoid rim. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Story dislocated his shoulder diving for a ball on April 5 in Anaheim. He was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on April 19. (Last updated: July 19)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (damaged UCL in right elbow)
Expected return: 2025
Whitlock will not pitch again until some point in 2025 after he had his UCL repaired by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas in Birmingham, Ala., on May 30. On the bright side, the righty avoided Tommy John surgery and instead underwent an internal brace repair, a procedure that has become more frequent for pitchers with UCL injuries.
Whitlock had a 1-0 record and 1.96 ERA in four starts for the Red Sox this season. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 2. (Last updated: June 2)
LHP Chris Murphy (left UCL)
Expected Return: 2025
Murphy, who came up as a starter before being converted into a multi-inning reliever last season, underwent successful reconstruction of the left ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington. (Last updated: April 10)
RHP Lucas Giolito (right UCL surgery)
Expected Return: 2025
Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 24. He underwent surgery to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament on March 12 after two Grapefruit League starts (4 1/3 innings). (Last updated: March 24)
