News and notes from around Red Sox Nation.
Rich Hill made a very emotional — and effective — return to big league baseball last night. And with Liam Hendriks and Trevor Story hoping to make similar returns, the Red Sox may soon have a contingent of unlikely veterans doing what they can to drag the team into the postseason. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
But those vets will now need to do it without the help of one of the young players who has been a sparkplug of the 2024 team. David Hamilton was placed on the 10-day IL yesterday with a broken finger. To take his spot on the roster, the Sox looked to Nick Sogard instead of Vaughn Grissom, citing Sogard’s switch-hitting and defensive versatility. (Julian McWilliams, Boston Globe)
Speaking of young guys, how are all the prospects that Craig Breslow traded away at the deadline doing? Here’s a rundown. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
All of the trade deadline pitching acquisitions have flopped, but at least some of the mainstay arms have turned things around. After going through a rough stretch in the middle of the season, Kutter Crawford looked good on the mound again last night and viewed his start against the Blue Jays as another step in the right direction. (Tim Crowley, NESN)
But now it’s not just the pitching that’s an issue, as the bats suddenly look a little cold. The return of Rafael Devers from his shoulder injury would certainly help things. The latest update is that the Sox hope he can return to the lineup as a DH as soon as tonight’s game against the Tigers, though Nick Sogard will likely man third base for the next few games. (Gayle Troiani, NESN)