Alex Cora gives Red Sox injury updates Friday; Triston Casas ‘felt better’
NEW YORK — Injured Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas continues to take swings but he still hasn’t faced the pitching machine.
“He actually took 25 dry swings yesterday,” manager Alex Cora said before Boston’s game against the Yankees on Friday. “Felt better.”
Casas is on the 60-day IL with some fractured cartilage which connects his ribcage to his sternum. He was eligible to return June 21 but he’s not expected back until sometime after the All-Star Break. He last played in a game April 20.
The 24-year-old slugger, who finished third for the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year, was batting .244 with a .344 on-base percentage, .513 slugging percentage, .857 OPS, six home runs, three doubles, 10 RBIs, 12 runs, 12 walks and 26 strikeouts in 22 games (90 plate appearances) before landing on the IL.
“I don’t know how many (swings he took) mentally,” Cora joked, referring to how Casas previously took imaginary swings in his mind. “I go by the report now. I don’t even ask him because the conversation might be longer than what I really want.”
Righty Liam Hendriks (recovering from Tommy John surgery) threw a bullpen here at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the fourth time he has taken the mound since throwing his first side session a week ago.
The plan is for the 35-year-old reliever to throw another bullpen here Sunday.
Grissom strength test
Second baseman Vaughn Grissom was scheduled for a strength test Friday.
“He was going to get tested today in the weight room to see where we’re at as far as like strength,” Cora said.
The Red Sox are being cautious with Vaughn Grissom’s rehab. The 23-year-old second baseman has been on the IL since June 2 with a right hamstring strain.
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Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela Impresses In Yankee Stadium Debut
It may not be the original building, but Yankee Stadium still marks a major spotlight for MLB players to shine. On Friday night, an emerging Red Sox player embraced the opportunity.
There are plenty of firsts this season for Ceddanne Rafaela as he navigates his first full season in the big leagues. Friday marked his first career game at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox shortstop took full advantage.
Boston and New York entered extra innings after Masataka Yoshida dramatically tied the game with two outs in the ninth inning. Rafaela wasted no time making his impression in the tenth inning when he deposited a two-run home run over the wall in center field to give the Red Sox the 5-3 lead that Boston secured for a fifth-straight victory.
Rafaela leads all MLB rookies with 49 RBI as he continues to develop into a more consistent hitter for the Red Sox. It’s safe to say that the recently-extended young player turned in his biggest swing for Boston.
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