Triston Casas, the Boston Red Sox’s promising first baseman, will miss an extended period of time due to a fractured left rib, manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday. The initial diagnosis for Casas was a left rib cage strain, but an MRI conducted Monday in Boston revealed the fracture. “Obviously we had a pretty good idea a few days ago,” Cora said. “But after all the tests in Boston, that’s what came out. We have to be patient. This one has to heal on its own, so we have to be patient.” Cora did not provide a specific timetable for Casas’s return but expressed optimism that he will play again this season. Twins shortstop Carlos Correa suffered a similar injury in 2019 while with the Astros and missed two months. Casas initially experienced pain in his rib area during the Red Sox’s series against the Guardians at Fenway Park. Despite the team’s current injury woes, Casas attempted to play through the pain. However, after swinging at a 3-1 offering in his first at-bat Saturday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, the pain became too severe, leading to his placement on the injured list. In Casas’ absence, Bobby Dalbec will see the majority of playing time at first base. Dalbec has had a slow start to the season, entering Tuesday with a batting average of just .033 and 18 strikeouts in 30 attempts. However, his playing time has been sporadic since being recalled from Triple-A. “He’s done it before,” Cora said, referring to Dalbec’s 2021 season when he hit 25 home runs with a .792 OPS. “In ’21 he was really good for us, hitting the ball out of the ballpark and playing good defense. … That’s something that I told him. I said, ‘Hey man, don’t feel like one at-bat is going to dictate what we do with you. Just go out there, have fun, and put a good swing on it, and we’ll see what happens.'” Pablo Reyes may also see time at first base. Cora indicated that the Sox will not explore external options for the position at this time. Rafael Devers (bone bruise in left knee) was initially expected to return to the lineup Tuesday, but due to rainy and wet conditions, Cora opted to give the third baseman an additional day of rest. Devers has missed the last five games. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill (concussion) was reinstated from the seven-day injured list and slotted into the DH spot. Masataka Yoshida was on the bench, despite the Guardians starting right-hander Ben Lively. Cora explained that the decision was primarily driven by the desire to get O’Neill’s bat in the lineup rather than any concerns about Yoshida. Yoshida is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday. Catcher Tyler Heineman was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Monday, with a left hamstring strain. The Diamondbacks claimed left-handed reliever Joe Jacques off waivers. The Red Sox signed 24-year-old right-hander Danny Kirwin from the independent Oakland Ballers, who had posted a video on social media of Kirwin throwing 98 mph. Kirwin is scheduled for a physical Wednesday and will then be assigned to a team. The signing was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. The Sox also signed right-hander Adam Smith, a former Padres prospect who was a free agent, and assigned him to High-A Greenville.
Red Sox First Baseman Triston Casas Out with Fractured Rib
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