Red Sox injury notes and roster: Chris Martin with the WooSox, Bryan Mata on rehab assignment, Wilyer Abreu inching closer
The Red Sox are close to getting three more players back off the injured list in the coming days.
Reliever Chris Martin is joining the WooSox on Saturday for a rehab assignment in Buffalo. Martin has been on the injured list with anxiety. Boston is reportedly targeting Martin to return to the 26-man roster for the series opener against the Blue Jays on Monday.
“We’ll see how he feels,” Cora said. “He’ll pitch, and we’ll see how he feels and go from here. I think he can come out of it Monday, if I’m not mistaken.”
Cora told reporters that Martin is feeling both mentally and physically better.
Outfielder Wilyer Abreu is expected to begin a rehab assignment with the WooSox soon and could join the Red Sox in time for Wednesday’s series finale at the Rogers Center.
Abreu has been on the injured list since June 3; he sprained his ankle falling down the dugout stairs during the game against the Tigers.
“Feeling better,” Cora said. “Moving around, doing everything, trending in the right direction.
“We don’t know if it’s one game or two games (rehabbing), but we want him to move around before he gets here. To play the outfield, run around, and all that stuff. We’ll see where we’re at after the weekend.”
Romy Gonzalez has played two rehab games with the WooSox, batting second, was the designated hitter, and played first base on Friday night.
The Red Sox are looking at Gonzalez as another option to platoon at first base, along with Dominic Smith and Bobby Dalbec.
Gonzalez could be activated on Saturday, with Jamie Westbrook likely to be optioned back to Triple-A Worcester.
Right-hander Bryan Mata is with the Portland Sea Dogs to begin a new rehab assignment. He joined the team on Friday night, as first reported by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Mata has been shut down after dealing with shoulder soreness following a rehab stint with Portland at the end of May. Once he officially begins his rehab with the Sea Dogs, a new 30-day clock will begin for Mata.
The 25-year-old, who is on the Red Sox 40-man roster and is out of minor league options, has been on the injured list all season, dealing with various injuries. Once Mata becomes eligible to come off the IL the Red Sox will have to add him to the 26-man roster, designate him for assignment, or trade him.
