Injuries & Moves: Casas adding intensity to swings

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July 22: 1B increasing intensity of swings
While it has been slow progress of late for Casas in his rehab from torn cartilage in his left rib cage, he is starting to ramp up the intensity of his swings. According to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Casas was close to 100 percent intensity while taking front-toss flips on Monday. The key will be once Casas is cleared to take regular batting practice. At that point, the Red Sox will have a better idea of how close he is to a Minor League rehab assignment.

"[Trainer Brandon Henry] feels like we're about to turn the corner in a sense as far as, like, intention," said Cora. "Obviously the recovery is the most important thing, so we'll see how he feels tomorrow, and then if they add something else to the program, they'll do it."

July 21: RHP skips Denver trip 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]."

10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return:
August
A key setup man for the Red Sox, Slaten played catch on July 21 and 22 and is building momentum toward a return. Slaten was placed on the IL on July 12, and the move was made retroactive to July 9.

"He played catch today, feeling better," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora on July 22. "I don't know what the next step will be, but things are trending in the right direction." (Last updated: July 22)

2B (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 (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: August or September
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 (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 (torn cartilage in left rib cage)
Expected return: August or September
As of July 22, Casas was at close to 100 percent intensity swinging against soft toss. Trainer Brandon Henry feels he is starting to turn a corner. The key will be once Casas is cleared to take regular batting practice. At that point, the Red Sox will have a better idea of how close he is to a Minor League rehab assignment. (Last updated: July 22)

RHP (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 (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 (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 (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 (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)