The Boston Red Sox will return home for the first time in the second half. They are coming off a rough trip in which they went 1-5 and were outscored 49-34. Most of those runs were obviously in yesterday’s 20-7 loss. The Red Sox will now take on the New York Yankees this weekend for three games as the Red Sox are 4-2 against them this season although have been outscored 32-30 in the six games. Some encouraging things have occurred recently, as Red Sox manager Alex Cora was extended yesterday to a three-year deal worth $21.75 million. Today Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow said they are looking to add a right-handed bat as well as some pitching help, with the trade deadline coming Tuesday it’s encouraging to hear after the last few seasons that the Red Sox are going for it this year, and are going to be buying. That’s not the only encouraging news as of late with some key names progressing toward a return.
1B – Triston Casas
Casas has been out since April 20th with torn rib cartilage. It was announced today that he could start a rehab assignment potentially by the end of this week which is encouraging news with the Red Sox needing his bat back in the lineup. In 22 games this season he was hitting .244 with a .857 OPS; he had three doubles, six home runs, ten RBI, 12 runs scored, and 12 walks.
SS – Trevor Story
Story last weekend didn’t rule out a return in 2024 and yesterday in Colorado he was seen taking ground balls, he’s been out since April 5th after injuring his shoulder diving for a ground ball. In eight games he was hitting .226 with a .617 OPS; he had three doubles, four RBI, one run scored, one stolen base, and three walks.
2B – Vaughn Grissom
Grissom who has been out since June 1st with a hamstring injury and has started a rehab stint at Triple-A Worcester. In four games he’s hitting .143 with a .464 OPS; he has a double, an RBI, two walks, and a stolen base. This season with the Red Sox in 23 games he hit .148 with a .367 OPS; he had one double, three RBI, six runs scored, and five walks.
Bullpen
RHP – Kenley Jansen
Jansen will return this weekend after not pitching in the Colorado series due to his heart condition which with the air quality out there in Colorado. Jansen had issues after his last trip there in 2022 when he was with the Braves, he had returned following that series and started having issues, so he wanted to avoid any issues this time around. Jansen this season in 34 games is 3-1 with 19 saves, a 3.06 ERA, a 2.89 FIP, a 1.19 WHIP, a 3.6 BB/9, and a 10.2 K/9 in 35.1 innings.
RHP – Justin Slaten
Slaten is throwing off flat ground and is trending in the right direction. He has been out since July 7th with right elbow inflammation. In 31 games he is 5-2 with a save, a 3.38 ERA, a 2.42 FIP, a 1.03 WHIP, a 1.9 BB/9, and 9.5 K/9 in 42.2 innings. He has been a key part of the back end of that bullpen, and he was missed in the last six games.
RHP – Chris Martin
Martin has the most discouraging news of the group as he is still not throwing. He hasn’t pitched since July 3rd as he is also dealing with right elbow inflammation. This season in 26 games he is 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA, a 3.37 FIP, a 1.03 WHIP, a 0.7 BB/9, and a 9.9 K/9. Martin was on the injured list earlier this season as he was dealing with anxiety and when he returned he was pitching well appearing in five games posting a 0.00 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP, and five strikeouts in five innings. Hopefully, he can return for the Red Sox as he like Slaten is a key piece to the back end of the bullpen.
