Red Sox injury notes: Triston Casas takes more dry swings, Grissom not close to rehab, Hendriks throws bullpens, Mata decision looming
Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas didn’t make the trip with his teammates to Miami this week, but he’s continuing to ramp up activities in order to rejoin Boston’s lineup later this month.
Casas took approximately 20 dry swings Tuesday at Fenway Park.
The 24-year-old received positive news following an MRI on his rib cage last week. The slugger has been on the injured list since mid-April with torn cartilage in his rib cage.
“He took like 20 swings yesterday—dry swings,” Cora said. “I don’t know where we’re at today, but that’s where he’s at.”
Casas still needs to face live hitting before he can begin a rehab assignment in the minors. The Red Sox will have a better idea of where he is following the All-Star break.
Vaughn Grissom not ready for rehab assignment
Second baseman Vaughn Grissom continues to do drill work in Boston, but there is no timeframe as to when he will start his rehab assignment in the minors.
Grissom has been on the shelf since June 2 with a right hamstring strain. He has missed a total of 58 games due to injuries to begin his Red Sox career.
Liam Hendriks continues to throw bullpens post Tommy John surgery
Reliever Liam Hendriks threw another bullpen session, his third since throwing a side session at Fenway Park a week ago.
“He’s far off from all that stuff,” said Cora. “This is only fastballs.”
The plan for Hendriks is to throw another bullpen on Friday and Sunday from Yankee Stadium before he ramps up. Providing no setbacks, the goal is to get the veteran into simulated games and then a rehab outing in the minors.
Brayan Mata makes second rehab start for the WooSox
Red Sox right-hander Bryan Mata made another rehab start for the WooSox on Tuesday night.
In his second rehab outing for Triple-A Worcester, he topped out his sinker at 97.8 mph and his four-seam fastball at 96.6 mph, per Baseball Savant. Mata threw his sinker 14 times and his fastball 10 times, totaling 51 pitches in his outing.
In total, Mata tossed 2 1/3 innings and allowed one run off two hits while walking two and striking out two hitters. Over seven rehab starts, Mata has a 4.24 ERA in 17 innings with 12 strikeouts to five walks.
“Velo was good,” Cora said. “The line is the line. But we feel OK with the way he competed.”
Mata is expected to start again on Saturday or Sunday, when the WooSox return home to Polar Park to face the Syracuse Mets. The Red Sox will need to make a decision on Mata’s future by July 15, when his 30-day rehab clock expires.
