Injuries & Moves: Pivetta, Romy Gonzalez activated
LATEST NEWS
May 8: INF/OF Romy Gonzalez reinstated from 10-day injured list; RHP Nick Pivetta reinstated from 15-day injured list; INF Zack Short designated for assignment; RHP Naoyuki Uwasawa optioned to Triple-A Worcester
Gonzalez, who injured his right wrist in his first start for the Red Sox on April 10, was immediately placed into the lineup upon his return on Wednesday, playing first base. The versatile right-handed hitter will get significant playing time against lefties in the coming days. Pivetta was activated for his start on Wednesday after missing nearly five weeks with a right elbow flexor strain.
Short was acquired in a trade from the Mets on May 1, but his stint with Boston lasted just a week. Uwasawa pitched his first two Major League games for the Red Sox after his call-up on April 28, allowing one earned run over four innings. He will stretch back out as a starter for Worcester.
May 8: OF Rob Refsnyder should be ready for weekend
Refsnyder, who experienced discomfort in his left hamstring on Sunday in Minneapolis that forced him to exit midway through the game, was held out of the lineup on Wednesday against Braves lefty Chris Sale. Refsnyder is expected to be ready for the upcoming series against the Nationals at Fenway Park, which starts on Friday.
May 8: DH Masataka Yoshida gets second opinion
Yoshida got a second opinion on his sprained left thumb prior to Wednesday's game in Atlanta, but the Red Sox and the DH are still in the information-gathering phase. Yoshida was placed on the injured list on May 1, with the move made retroactive to April 29. The Red Sox are hopeful the left-handed hitter can avoid surgery.
"We’re going to get more information throughout the day and probably see where we’re at [Thursday]," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "We'll compare the information we have with what they have here. We'll talk to our doctors and then go from there.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
DH Masataka Yoshida (left thumb strain)
Expected return: TBD
Yoshida got a second opinion with a hand specialist in Atlanta on May 8 but the DH and the Red Sox are still gathering information before deciding what is next. The hope is that Yoshida can avoid surgery. (Last updated: May 8)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Around May 20
Whitlock threw two innings in the bullpen on May 7, and is scheduled to throw live batting practice at Fenway Park on May 10. If Whitlock can make a Minor League rehab start on May 15, he could be back with the Red Sox by May 20. The righty had a 1-0 record and a 1.96 ERA in four starts before the injury. (Last updated: May 7)
RHP Brayan Bello (right lat strain)
Expected return: May 13 or thereabouts
Bello pitched 2 2/3 innings in a Minor League rehab game for Double-A Portland on May 7 and manager Alex Cora is hopeful his Opening Day starter will get the nod on May 12 at Fenway Park against the Nationals. Bello was placed on the injured list on April 24, retroactive to April 21. (Last updated: May 7)
RHP Bryan Mata (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: May or June
It has been slow going for Mata since he suffered a right hamstring strain early in Spring Training. But Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Mata threw a live batting practice session on May 3. Mata is out of options, meaning he needs to be placed on the Major League roster once he is healthy to avoid being designated for assignment. (Last updated: May 3)
RHP Isaiah Campbell (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: TBD
The reliever was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 12 with a right shoulder impingement. He is feeling better but has yet to throw off the mound.
"Just playing catch, long tossing, and feeling better," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "[April 30], he said that it was his best day out of the whole last two or three weeks." (Last updated: May 1)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery)
Expected return: Late July/early August
After signing with the Red Sox in February, Hendriks said his goal of coming back from Tommy John surgery would be right around the July 30 Trade Deadline. Hendriks has been playing catch on a daily basis. In Hendriks, who is also signed for next season, Boston will get a reliever who has been dominant in the past. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized in a bullpen that also includes Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, though both of those pitchers have expiring contracts at the end of the season. (Last updated: May 2)
1B Triston Casas (torn cartilage in left rib cage)
Expected return: No earlier than June 21
Casas suffered torn cartilage in his left rib cage fouling off a 3-1 pitch on April 20, and he is going to miss a significant portion of time. Doctors told Casas the injury could take anywhere from three to nine weeks to fully heal. Casas had one of the best starts offensively for the Red Sox this season, hitting three doubles and six homers with a .857 OPS in 22 games. He was moved to the 60-day IL on April 27. (Last updated: April 27)
SS Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder)
Expected return: 2025
Story underwent surgery on April 12. According to a statement from the Red Sox, Story "underwent a successful arthroscopic repair of the posterior labrum, with an open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture of the glenoid rim. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache."
Story won't play again until next season. Story dislocated his shoulder diving for a ball on April 5 in Anaheim. He was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on April 19. (Last updated: April 19)
LHP Chris Murphy (left UCL)
Expected Return: 2025
Murphy, who came up as a starter before being converted into a multi-inning reliever last season, underwent successful reconstruction of the left ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington. (Last updated: April 10)
RHP Lucas Giolito (right UCL surgery)
Expected Return: 2025
Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 24. He underwent surgery to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament on March 12 after two Grapefruit League starts (4 1/3 innings). (Last updated: March 24)