Injuries & Moves: Verdugo iffy for Rays series
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Sept. 4: OF Alex Verdugo (left hamstring tightness) iffy for Rays series
Verdugo was not in Monday's lineup against the Rays after exiting Sunday's win over the Royals in the sixth inning with left hamstring tightness. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Verdugo will also miss Tuesday's game and possibly Wednesday. The club doesn't want to risk making it worse by playing on the turf at Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field. The Sox are off on Thursday before opening a homestand on Friday.
"Obviously, playing here doesn't help, but we'll see how he reacts to treatment today," Cora said. "Of course, [we'll] stay away from him [Tuesday], maybe Wednesday, and hopefully, we can get better throughout the week and be ready for Friday.”
Sept. 4: RHP Logan Gillaspie claimed off waivers; OF Jarren Duran transferred to 60-day IL
The Red Sox added some organizational depth by claiming Gillaspie from the Orioles on Monday and optioning him to Triple-A Worcester. Gillaspie, 26, pitched in 11 games for the O's this season, allowing seven runs (six earned) in nine innings. The right-hander also posted a 4.71 ERA over 36 1/3 innings in 34 games for Triple-A Norfolk. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Brewers on July 13, 2018, the California native has recorded a 4.10 ERA in 28 career games over the past two seasons.
Duran, meanwhile, had surgery on his left big toe last week. He was already ruled out for the rest of the 2023 season.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
INF Pablo Reyes (left elbow inflammation)
Expected return: Sept. 7 at earliest
Reyes, who has been a solid contributor for the Red Sox this season, injured his left elbow taking a swing in the game on Aug. 26 against the Dodgers. He started the next day because the club was short-handed, but he was placed on the IL on Aug. 28, making Sept. 7 the earliest he can return. (Last updated: Aug. 29)
LHP Joely Rodríguez (right hip)
Expected return: TBD
Rodríguez had a setback with his ailing right hip, and he's in jeopardy of not pitching again this season. The lefty's first season in Boston was marred by three stints on the injured list for separate injuries.
Rodríguez had finally gotten into a nice groove before his latest injury, posting six consecutive scoreless outings. (Last updated: Aug. 13)
60-day IL
OF Jarren Duran (left toe contusion)
Expected return: 2024
Duran underwent a successful left great toe flexor tendon repair on Aug. 30. The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson at the Charlotte Surgical Center in Charlotte, N.C. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the club expects Duran will be healthy for the start of Spring Training. Duran developed a bad case of turf toe while climbing the left-field wall at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 20 in pursuit of a home run by Gleyber Torres.
Prior to the injury, Duran had the best season of his career, slashing .295/.346/.482 with 34 doubles, two triples and eight homers while stealing 24 bases in 26 attempts. (Last updated: Aug. 30)
RHP Corey Kluber (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly September
Kluber, who last pitched in a Minor League rehab appearance on July 26, is making progress. The veteran righty thew a bullpen session at Tropicana Field on Monday and could go on a rehab assignment soon. Cora said on Sept. 2 that the team hopes Kluber can still return to the big leagues in 2023. (Last updated: Sept. 4)
RHP Zack Kelly (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: Possibly mid-to-late September
Kelly began a Minor League rehab assignment for Single-A Salem on Sept. 1. The 28-year-old righty threw one scoreless frame, striking out two and walking one. Manager Alex Cora said on Sept. 2 that the Red Sox hope to have Kelly back in the Majors by the end of the season. Kelly has a 3.68 ERA in six appearances with Boston in 2023. (Last updated: Sept. 2)
INF Adalberto Mondesi (torn left ACL)
Expected return: TBD
Mondesi recently restarted baseball activities after a long layoff, only to be shut down again. The infielder hasn't been able to "clear the final hurdle," as manager Alex Cora put it, in his attempted recovery from an injury he suffered last April with the Royals. (Last updated: Aug. 16)
RHP Kaleb Ort (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: September at earliest
Ort has started to play catch, the first step in his attempt to pitch again this season. He was originally placed on the 15-day injured list on July 7 (retroactive to July 5). However, he was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 26 to clear room for trade acquisition Mauricio Llovera.
Ort has posted a 6.26 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 21 games (two starts) for Boston this season, while also recording a 1.86 ERA in 10 games with Triple-A Worcester. (Last updated: Aug. 16)
RHP Wyatt Mills (Torn UCL)
Expected return: 2024 at earliest
The sidewinder underwent Tommy John surgery on July 5, ending any chance he will pitch for the Red Sox this season. Mills was hurt midway through Spring Training.
The Red Sox acquired Mills as part of a three-team deal with the Braves and Royals in December. Last season, he had a combined 4.60 ERA in 27 games for the Mariners and Royals. (Last updated: July 5)