The Boston Red Sox have been hampered by a string of significant injuries, which have complicated their push for a postseason spot. Still, there’s some optimism on the horizon with the possible return of one of their key players.
Wilyer Abreu, who went down with a hamstring strain on August 21, has been sidelined ever since. His absence has been a major blow, as he’s both an elite defensive right fielder and a dangerous bat in the lineup. Before the injury, Abreu was slashing .253/.325/.486 with 22 homers and providing much-needed power.
With Roman Anthony already out—leaving a huge hole in the middle of Boston’s offense—getting Abreu back could be pivotal. His return would restore the Sox outfield to one of the best units in baseball and give them another consistent run producer at a time when scoring has been a problem.
Manager Alex Cora revealed yesterday that Gold Glove outfielder Wilyer Abreu is preparing to test his hamstring again by running at Fenway Park, something he hasn’t done since the team’s series against the Orioles. “He’s supposed to run tomorrow, so we’ll know tomorrow night,” Cora told reporters, noting this would be Abreu’s first time running since the injury.
The Sox aren’t planning a minor league rehab assignment for Abreu, meaning he could rejoin the team as early as their upcoming home series against the Yankees. If that happens, his presence could be a huge boost as Boston battles their archrival and tries to stay alive in the Wild Card race.