Injuries & Moves: Jansen to skip Denver trip
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July 21: RHP Kenley Jansen to skip trip to Denver due to past heart issues
Already short on right-handers in the bullpen because Chris Martin and Justin Slaten are on the injured list at the same time with elbow woes, the Sox will be without closer Jansen for the three-game series in Denver against the Rockies that starts on Monday. The reason is that Jansen has dealt with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition, throughout his career, and the high altitude in Denver has caused him issues in the past.
The Red Sox won't be able to replace Jansen on the roster, so they'll be a man short. Jansen's upcoming absence is the reason he pitched the eighth inning on Sunday, a day after he threw 25 pitches in his second blown save of the season. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the club, in conjunction with Jansen, decided he wouldn't be making the trip before the season even started.
"Too many times, stuff happened over there with me [in Colorado]," Jansen said. "[In] 2022 [with the Braves] was the last time I went there, and when I went back to Atlanta, I started having issues and then after a couple of weeks, I went back to afib. I’m just trying to avoid that right now and try to get to the postseason, and I don’t think that’s a great time to go there and mess things up, and next thing you know, it’s going to hurt the team more. I would rather skip that one and be ready for the Yankees series [next weekend]."
July 21: 2B Vaughn Grissom rips double in second rehab game
Grissom has had a good start to his Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester. On Saturday, he was the DH and drew two walks and stole a base. He played second base on Sunday, belting an RBI double. Don't be surprised if Grissom takes close to the 20-day maximum that is allowed for a position player on a rehab assignment given how little he has played this season due to multiple leg injuries. The return of the right-handed-hitting Grissom would help a Boston team that has struggled against lefty starters all season.
July 21: OF Rob Refsnyder (left shoulder) scratched from lineup
Refsnyder, a key right-handed bat against lefties, was supposed to lead off on Sunday against Dodgers starter James Paxton. But he was scratched after the original lineup was posted due to soreness in his left shoulder sustained on a diving attempt in the outfield in Saturday's 7-6 loss.
"When he dove for that ball, he landed on his shoulder, so he’s a little bit banged up," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "We’ll try to stay away from him today. He should be able to play [Monday] the way [the training staff] and Ref were talking about it, but we’ve got to play it smart.”
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
2B Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: August
Grissom had a productive start to his Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on July 20, drawing two walks and stealing a base while serving as the DH. The next day, he started at second base and belted an RBI double. Given how little Grissom has played this season due to a variety of leg injuries, his rehab assignment could be close to the maximum 20 days allowed. (Last updated: July 21)
RHP Justin Slaten (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: August
A key setup man for the Red Sox, Slaten played catch on July 21 and will stay on flat ground for a brief period before getting back on the mound. The hope is that he won't need much of a ramp-up after that. Slaten was placed on the IL on July 12, and the move was made retroactive to July 9. (Last updated: July 21)
RHP Chris Martin (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: August
Martin didn't join the Red Sox on their West Coast trip coming out of the All-Star break, a sign that his return is not imminent. Martin suffered a slight setback shortly before the break when he said he didn't "feel great" playing catch. So the Red Sox are hoping a conservative approach will be beneficial.
"He's going to Boston just to keep rehabbing and then see where we’re at," said manager Alex Cora. "From what I know right now, no imaging. So hopefully with the rest and staying away from trying to throw, he'll feel better. (Last updated: July 19)
RHP Bryan Mata (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Injuries continue to pile up for Mata, who once again was returned from his Minor League rehab assignment, this time due to right elbow inflammation. Mata had to exit his start for Triple-A Worcester after one inning on July 14. Mata, Boston's No. 27 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is out of Minor League options. Once he is healthy, the Red Sox will have to activate him or designate him for assignment. (Last updated: July 19)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
1B Triston Casas (torn cartilage in left rib cage)
Expected return: August or September
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on July 19 that Casas is still "far" from heading out on a Minor League rehab assignment. The left-handed hitter continues to hit soft toss and off a tee, but the key will be once he is well enough to take live batting practice. Casas hasn't played since April 20. (Last updated: July 19)
RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery)
Expected return: August or September
Hendriks continues to throw bullpen sessions, but he is throwing exclusively fastballs at this point. As of July 19, he wasn't considered to be close to being ready for a Minor League rehab assignment. (Last updated: July 19)
SS Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder)
Expected return: Slight possibility of 2024; probably '25
It was initially assumed that Story wouldn't play again until '25 after he underwent surgery on April 12. Perhaps that will still be the case, but Story said on July 19 that his rehab is going well and he's keeping open the possibility of playing again in '24, particularly if the Red Sox make the playoffs. 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 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: July 19)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (damaged UCL in right elbow)
Expected return: 2025
Whitlock will not pitch again until some point in 2025 after he had his UCL repaired by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas in Birmingham, Ala., on May 30. On the bright side, the righty avoided Tommy John surgery and instead underwent an internal brace repair, a procedure that has become more frequent for pitchers with UCL injuries.
Whitlock had a 1-0 record and 1.96 ERA in four starts for the Red Sox this season. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 2. (Last updated: June 2)
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)