Injuries & Moves: Bello expected to start Sunday
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May 11: RHP Brayan Bello expected to start Sunday
The rotation is getting healthy again for the Red Sox. Bello, Boston's Opening Day starter, is expected to be activated to pitch Sunday's finale of the three-game series against the Nationals. Bello last pitched for the Red Sox on April 19 before he was placed on the 15-day injured list with right lat tightness. Bello made a rehab start for Double-A Portland on May 7, going 2 2/3 innings and allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) while walking two and striking out five. He threw 52 pitches.
May 11: RHP Garrett Whitlock to rehab in Worcester on Wednesday
A day after Whitlock threw three innings of live batting practice at Fenway, the Red Sox cleared him to make a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. There's a good chance Whitlock will return to Boston's rotation for the road series against the Rays that takes place from May 20-22. Whitlock was placed on the injured list on April 17 with a left oblique strain. He was off to a terrific start before the injury, posting a 1.96 ERA in four turns through the rotation.
May 11: RHP Isaiah Campbell close to return
The Red Sox should get a key middle reliever back in the near future in Campbell, who threw two innings in the bullpen on Friday. The next step is a live batting practice session, which could happen at Fenway Park early next week. After that, Campbell should start a Minor League rehab assignment. Campbell was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement on April 12.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Around May 20
Whitlock will make a Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Worcester May 15. Whitlock could be back in Boston's rotation on or around May 20. The righty had a 1-0 record and a 1.96 ERA in four starts before the injury. (Last updated: May 11)
RHP Isaiah Campbell (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: Later this month
The reliever is in the final stretch of his rehab. After throwing a two-inning bullpen session on May 10, Campbell is expected to throw live batting practice at Fenway Park early the week of May 13. The next step after that should be a Minor League rehab assignment. (Last updated: May 11)
DH Masataka Yoshida (left thumb strain)
Expected return: Some point in June at earliest
Yoshida got three opinions on his ailing thumb and it was decided on May 10 that he won't need surgery. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said it will be "a few weeks" before Yoshida even attempts to swing the bat. (Last updated: May 10)
RHP Brayan Bello (right lat strain)
Expected return: May 12
Bello is expected to make his return from the injured list and start the finale of a three-game series against the Nationals on May 12. Bello made a Minor League rehab start for Double-A Portland on May 7, going 2 2/3 innings and throwing 52 pitches. 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)
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)