Suffice it to say it’s been an up-and-down start to Adley Rutschman’s Red Sox career, which began when he was still recovering from an injury. Now, after starting to find himself at the plate with his new team, he’s found himself on the shelf again, missing the past two games with an elbow injury he suffered on a swing. Luckily, the team doesn’t sound too concerned about it at this point (I know, I know…) “He took a really aggressive swing,” Chad Tracy said. “He kind of hyperextended his elbow. Nothing
to be alarmed about. Just felt like I don’t want to make that worse.” Rutschman expects to be back in the lineup this weekend against the Yankees. (Perla Paredes, MLB.com)
Rutschman isn’t the only Sox player who expects to be playing against the Yankees. Both Roman Anthony and Trevor Story are being vocal about getting back into the lineup during the upcoming series. “Overall, feeling really good,” said Story. “I’m on [time with] the barrel, just a touch off [on squaring pitches]. [It’s] to be expected. I think more than the results, it’s more about how I’m feeling and kind of dictating the at-bat. And I’m in a good spot there. So, next day or two, hit some barrels and feel good about [returning].” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Anthony will be particularly happy to be back on the field given all the noise that’s surrounded his rehab, noise which has included whispers about both his social life and his commitment to get back on the field. Anthony is strongly pushing back against all of it and, reading between the lines, he seems a little annoyed with the Red Sox medical staff. “I did everything I could,” he said. “I thought I made that clear. I took all the (injections) I could, as soon as I could. I tried to do everything to get back on the field. Unfortunately, maybe we pushed too hard. Every time I tried to do that, it may have set me back a little bit. But at the same time, I saw three outside doctors that told me this was a three-month injury. After it all, it took right about that much.”
As for his social life, he views it as a non-issue: “I won’t really talk on that because it’s not even something that’s relevant and it hasn’t been relevant in our clubhouse. It’s never been a problem and it’s never really even been a thing. I prioritize getting to bed and doing everything I can to show up and give it all to my teammates and to the fans. I think when things aren’t going your way and you’re a 22-year-old kid that does anything other than just goes home and goes straight to bed, people have something to say.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
There’s been a lot of talk about what roster dominoes will fall when Story, Anthony, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa do conclude their rehabs. But as of now, Tracy isn’t guaranteeing playing time to anyone. “I don’t foresee a scenario where we get new players here, and I’m just going to not play the guys [who have been playing],” Tracy said “We’re getting to the point of the season where we have a month left. It’s about trying to win every single game. What gives us the best chance that night’s game to do that? This is not necessarily the point of the season where it’s like we’re going to work through it. We’ve got to go out there and try to win the game — and that’s with whoever’s available that night to start.” (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
And things could get even more complicated if Curtis Mead returns, which is apparently possible, as his hard cast was removed this week. “I know that’s just step one and there’s still a good bit of time here after this comes off and what he’s got to do just to get it strong enough to even begin baseball activities,” Tracy said. “So [there’s] hope, but we’ve still got to temper that hope and just see if everything goes well with the next steps.” (Conor Ryan, Boston.com)
Tracy won’t have any room fitting Garrett Whitlock back into the bullpen, though. Whitlock struck out Caleb Durbin and Eli White before yesterday’s game and is on track to return imminently. “Body felt good, arm felt good. So everything you want,” he said. (Chrisopher Smith, MassLive)
