Triston Casas, the first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, has been diagnosed with a left rib cage strain and is expected to miss an extended period of time, according to an MRI performed on Monday. The severity of the injury and the exact timeline for his return have not been disclosed by the club, but both Casas and manager Alex Cora have expressed concerns about his availability. During a recent news conference, Cora emphasized the seriousness of Casas’s injury and the need for caution in his recovery process.
Casas stated that he experienced significant pain and discomfort while breathing and acknowledged the possibility of this type of injury given his physical attributes and powerful swing. Despite his efforts to manage the situation, Casas expressed worry about how the injury might have been avoided or managed more effectively.
The Red Sox are unlikely to pursue external options for a first baseman at the moment, as several players around the league have May 1 opt-outs that could create opportunities for the team to address their needs. While Casas is sidelined, potential replacements at first base include Pablo Reyes, Bobby Dalbec, and Rob Refsnyder, who has been training for the position since the start of spring training.
In other Red Sox news, outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who has been on the seven-day injured list with a concussion, is set to be reinstated on Tuesday ahead of the team’s series against the Cleveland Guardians. O’Neill has been the team’s top performer prior to his injury, with a batting average of .313, an on-base percentage of .459, and a slugging percentage of .750, along with a team-leading seven home runs. Manager Cora is excited about the prospect of adding O’Neill back to the lineup, particularly in between Rafael Devers and Casas.
Tanner Houck is scheduled to start on Tuesday against Ben Lively, while the Wednesday starter has not yet been determined. Carlos Carrasco will take the mound for Cleveland on Wednesday, and Brayan Bello will face Triston McKenzie in the series finale on Thursday. The Guardians currently hold the best record in Major League Baseball at 16-6.
