Alex Cora Issues Injury Updates On Trio Of Red Sox Players
The Red Sox getting Connor Wong healthy is of high importance given how thin Boston is at catcher.
Wong suffered a pinky fracture eight days ago, but he’s already trending in the right direction, according to Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
“Progressing, feeling better. Actually, he was able to do some catching drills today, so that’s a positive,” Cora told reporters, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith.
The Red Sox turned to Blake Sabol to platoon with Carlos Narváez with Wong on the shelf. Sabol has struggled since getting promoted, hitting just 1-for-6 in four games. But Boston doesn’t have many other options besides Sabol at the moment.
Seby Zavala, who signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox this offseason and has 194 games of big league experience under his belt, landed on the seven-day injured list with Triple-A Worcester due to a left oblique strain.
The Red Sox signed veteran backstop Yasmani Grandal following Wong’s injury, but he needs time to ramp up after missing all of spring training.
Masataka Yoshida is still working his way back after underdoing offseason shoulder surgery. Yoshida hit during the exhibition slate — he went 10-for-35 (.286) with one home run and seven RBIs — but needs to progress more with his throwing.
Cora told reporters that Yoshida isn’t nearing a rehab assignment.
Like Yoshida, Kutter Crawford started the season on the injured list due to right patellar tendinopathy. Crawford, who made 33 starts last season, will throw a bullpen session Saturday, but he’s still a long way off from pitching for the Red Sox.
“I don’t know where we’re at as far as like what’s the next step,” Cora said. “But obviously nothing close to being back with us.”