The Boston Red Sox are navigating the tricky waters of player injuries with Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony still on the injured list longer than initially expected. While the team hoped for a swift return, both players are taking a bit more time to heal, though not due to any specific setbacks.
Roman Anthony, dealing with a sprained ligament in his hand, has received a cortisone shot to help speed up his recovery. Interim manager Chad Tracy shared on WEEI’s “Rich and Ken with Ted Johnson” show that Anthony’s hand has regained full strength for throwing and catching, but swinging remains off-limits for now.
On May 18, Anthony tried swinging a bat for the first time since his injury on May 5, but some discomfort led the team to pause his progress. He’ll give it another shot on Friday after a day of rest.
There’s no clear timeline for Anthony’s return, as his recovery hinges on when he can swing pain-free. The Red Sox are cautious about setting another return date after their initial timeline proved optimistic. While the team is eager to have Anthony back-especially considering his upward trend with a .269/.345/.346 slash line in the seven games before his injury-they’re mindful not to rush him, given his importance to their lineup.
Garrett Crochet’s recovery, while slow, is showing some positive signs. The pitcher recently completed a bullpen session before the Red Sox wrapped up their series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, reporting that his shoulder feels strong.
According to Christopher Smith of MassLive, Crochet is set for another brief session on Friday or Saturday, with plans to face hitters next week. He anticipates needing additional bullpen sessions before rejoining the team or starting a rehab assignment, which he hopes to bypass.
Despite his progress, Crochet is still fine-tuning his mechanics, aiming for a more streamlined delivery.
Crochet last took the mound in a major league game on April 25, and like Anthony, there’s no rush to push him back into action. The Red Sox’s pitching depth, bolstered by Payton Tolle’s impressive performance since his call-up, provides some breathing room. Crochet’s uncharacteristic 6.30 ERA over six starts this season suggests that patience might be the best play here, allowing him to return to form without added pressure.
