The Boston Red Sox weren’t able to complete their sweep of the New York Yankees on Sunday night, as they suffered a 7-2 defeat. However, they still won three of the four games in the series, and before their latest contest, manager Alex Cora provided a slew of encouraging injury updates.
With their series victory over the Yanks, the Sox have taken control of the top spot in the American League wild card race. Their playoff push is only heating up, though, and some reinforcements down the stretch could help them hold onto this spot.
Thankfully for the team, it sounds like they could be getting just that; reinforcements. Cora revealed that Wilyer Abreu, Rob Refsnyder and Justin Slaten are all expected to return to the team at some point this upcoming week.
“Rob Refsnyder (oblique), Wilyer Abreu (calf) and Justin Slaten (shoulder/neck) are all trending toward returning in the coming days, manager Alex Cora said Sunday,” Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported. “Refsnyder, who has been out since August 15, can come back as soon as Monday and it seems he feels good enough to do so.”
“Slaten made another rehab appearance in Worcester on Sunday and might not need another outing before being activated. Abreu, who was placed on the IL on Friday after battling calf tightness for a few days, is scheduled to run at Camden Yards on Monday, a significant step toward a return.”
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Getting back each of these guys would be huge for Boston. Abreu has been the Red Sox’s best slugger this season, as he’s hitting .253 with 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, with his home run tally being tops on the team.
Refsnyder, meanwhile, has been used as a platoon outfielder against left-handed pitchers, hitting .272 with six home runs and 22 RBIs this season. On the mound, Slaten has been a key relief pitcher for the Sox, posting a 1-4 record with a 3.47 ERA, three saves and 16 strikeouts in 23.1 innings of work.
Boston could use all the help it can get, and the returns of all three of these guys would be a huge boost for the team. After losing to the Yankees on Sunday night, the Red Sox will look to get back in the win column when they kick off a new four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles.
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