Injury updates on Liam Hendriks, Chris Martin, Triston Casas.
It’s been a long time coming but Liam Hendriks, who was one of the best relievers in baseball before missing significant time both overcoming cancer and Tommy John surgery, will be back on the field this week. Hendriks will start with some batting practice sessions in Kansas City, followed by a rehab assignment. He hopes to make his full return some time this month. (Greg Dudek, NESN)
And Hendricks isn’t the only big name returning to the Red Sox bullpen. Chris Martin is close to stepping back on the field after a month-long absence. He may even skip a minor league rehab assignment altogether and rejoin the big league team during the Royals series. (Adam London, NESN)
But the biggest injured name is, of course, Triston Casas. After a multi-hit game this weekend with the WooSox, he’s inching closer. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
So, no: it doesn’t feel like he’s being stabbed in the ribs every time he swings, after all. Chalk that one up as an awkward joke. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
It still isn’t clear what Casas’s return will mean for Dom Smith, who has manned first base admirably if unremarkably for the past few months. But hey, maybe he can pitch? (Jayson Stark, The Athletic)
Pitching is just about the only thing Ceddanne Rafaela can’t seem to do on the defensive side of the ball. And his strong all-around performance has put him in the American League Rookie of the Year race. (Boston Herald)
Of course Ceddanne plays next to one of his Rookie of the Year rivals everyday. It’s Wilyer Abreu who leads all AL rookies in OPS after an emotional performance this weekend against the Texas Rangers. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)