Red Sox and MiLB injury updates: Tyler O'Neill day-to-day, Justin Slaten and Liam Hendriks in Portland
The Red Sox will be without Tyler O’Neill to begin the game against the DBacks on Saturday afternoon. The left fielder was scratched from the lineup on Friday night due to inflammation in his fourth finger.
O’Neill’s finger inflamed while he was taking batting practice on Friday afternoon.
“Not ready for today. We’re shooting for tomorrow,” manager Alex Cora said before Saturday’s game. “Feeling better. He’ll hit during the game to see how it goes, but most likely he’ll play tomorrow.”
Cora told reporters that the slugger felt it “on his swing.”
“He told me it takes one or two days, so hopefully, tomorrow he’ll be playing,” Cora said.
Justin Slaten pitches for the Portland Sea Dogs in rehab outing
Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten made his first rehab outing with the Portland Sea Dogs on Friday night. The right-handed reliever threw 17 pitches, eight for strikes, while allowing one run, one hit, and a walk.
Slaten struggled with location, but the team is encouraged following his appearance in Portland.
“He felt fine. A little bit out of rhythm, but as far as like the health, he’s in a good place,” Cora said. “We’ll see how he feels today and then go over the plan. If he needs one more, he needs one more. If not, we’ll take a look, and if we feel like he’s ready to go, we’ll make a decision.”
Boston has not yet decided whether or not the righty will need another outing before being activated.
Liam Hendriks to pitch Sunday for Portland
Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks will make his third rehab outing on Sunday when he pitches for the Portland Sea Dogs.
Hendriks lasted just 1/3 of an inning, facing three opposing hitters, starting out by allowing a hit and a walk, then the next batter lined out to left for his only out of the inning. After pitching to a full count to the third batter he faced, Hendriks was charged with a pitch clock violation. His fastball sat around 93–94 mph, according to Beyond the Monster’s Josh Ball, who was covering the game at Hadlock Field.
WooSox place left-hander on 7-day injured list
The WooSox placed left-handed pitcher Shane Drohan on the 7-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation.
Drohan was initially scheduled to start on Sunday in Norfolk. The team isn’t overly concerned with his current IL stint; they’re being proactive, according to a source.
Following his first start back in the Red Sox organization, Drohan said he is still working to build strength in his left shoulder but overall feels healthy.
