Red Sox rookie outfielder hits two homers in rehab game for Triple-A Worcester
Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu is inching closer to his return to the team from the injured list.
Abreu is expected to rejoin the Red Sox on Friday or Saturday, for their three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.
The rookie outfielder has been on the injured list since June 3 after he sprained his right ankle falling down the dugout steps at Fenway Park.
Abreu crushed two homers for the WooSox on Wednesday night during his second rehab game at Polar Park. In the first inning, he launched a solo blast off Columbus Clippers left-hander Randy Labaut and then another solo shot in the eighth inning off Tanner Burns.
Prior to joining the Red Sox in Cincinnati, Abreu is expected to play one more rehab game for Worcester on Thursday.
“There’s a good chance he’ll DH tomorrow,” Alex Cora said to reporters. “We’re contemplating if it’s going to be Friday or Saturday. But so far, so good.”
Abreu is in his first full season for the Red Sox and has been a regular starter for Cora. Through 53 games before getting hurt, he hit .272 with six homers, 14 doubles, 22 RBI, and an .829 OPS.
It’s not clear how the Red Sox will use some of their players once Abreu comes off the injured list. There will be a log jam in the outfield. Boston could move Rafaela into the infield and have him play either second base or shortstop.
David Hamilton is on fire at the plate, and his emergence at the plate, coupled with Jarren Duran, gives the Red Sox tremendous speed at the top of the lineup. Either Enmanuel Valdez or Bobby Dalbec will likely be one of the players optioned back to Worcester once Abreu is activated.
