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Red Sox Get Mixed Injury Updates on Two Key Players

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The Boston Red Sox are getting hammered by injuries this season. Over 40 players have appeared for Boston in 2024, the most of any AL East team. And while some injuries may have been small, key players have been forced to miss time. The Red Sox recently got injury updates on Triston Casas and Garrett Whitlock. However, one situation is more positive than the other.

Red Sox 1B Triston Casas Receives Encouraging Injury Update

First baseman Triston Casas had a strong .857 OPS in his first 22 games of the season and smacked six home runs. But on April 20, Casas felt pain after fouling off a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He exited the game and was later found to have a torn cartilage in his left rib cage. The 24-year-old was placed on the 60-day IL a week later, setting his earliest return date at June 21. 

Things are starting to move along in Casas’ recovery process though, with the infielder taking ground balls on Friday for the first time since the injury. It was a positive sign for Casas, who has been unable to participate in baseball activities for most of his absence. 

The news got even better after Casas told reporters that he’ll be ramping up his rehab shortly. Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reported on Saturday that Casas is on track to begin swinging and hitting next week. While it’s another small step in the process, it’s a move towards a potential return down the road. 

What the Casas News Means for Boston

The Red Sox had found multiple options to fill Casas’ void over the past month or so. Boston acquired Garrett Cooper from the Chicago Cubs in late April for cash considerations. They also signed Dominic Smith, who previously had a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, a few days later to complement Cooper. Both players have struggled though, failing to bat over .220 and post an OPS over .600, respectively.

Triston Casas still can’t return until late June, but he will surely be an upgrade over Boston’s current production at first base. In his first full MLB season in 2023, Casas had 24 homers and a positive OPS+. Before his injury, he was on pace to hit over 40 homers and record nearly 75 RBI. The Red Sox are 12-10 this season when Casas sees the field. Expect both Dominic Smith and Garrett Cooper to see their roles decrease once Casas is activated. 

Red Sox SP Garrett Whitlock Gets Worrying Injury Update on Throwing Elbow

The same positivity cannot be expressed for Boston starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock, unfortunately. The 27-year-old had a strong start to the 2024 campaign, holding a 1-0 record with a 1.96 ERA in four starts. But he was removed after just four innings and 54 pitches on April 16 due to an injury. Whitlock was placed on the IL the following day with a strained left oblique. He completed a rehab start in the minors on May 15 and felt soreness in his elbow the following day. The Red Sox decided to shut him down following his symptoms. 

Garrett Whitlock told reporters on Saturday that he will miss the rest of 2024 and is likely going to undergo elbow surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). According to MLB.com’s Ian Browne, Whitlock plans to meet with Dr. Jeff Dugas on Wednesday to confirm the course of action. While surgery is the most likely option, Whitlock said he doesn’t believe he’ll need Tommy John surgery, which has a longer recovery time. However, the pitcher won’t exactly know which way things will go until his meeting mid-week. 

Whitlock has had issues with his throwing arm in the past. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 while playing in the New York Yankees farm system. Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic also reported that the same surgeon and physical therapist who dealt with Whitlock’s 2019 surgery will do his upcoming procedure.

What the Whitlock News Means for Boston

The Red Sox have already been operating without Garrett Whitlock for the last month. Starter Cooper Criswell has filled in for Whitlock during his absence, something that should continue going forward. Criswell has a 2.86 ERA and 34 strikeouts in seven starts and eight appearances this season. And as a whole, the Red Sox pitching staff continues to chug away despite Whitlock’s injury. Four of Boston’s current five starters have sub-3.10 ERAs. Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, and Criswell make up Boston’s current rotation.

 

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

 

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