BOSTON — The Red Sox have a little over two months remaining in their 2024 season, meaning those currently occupying the team’s crowded injured list are working against a time window for their respective returns to the diamond.
As the Red Sox have strived to navigate their way around the team’s glaringly impactful injured list, Boston manager Alex Cora addressed a few absences before opening up a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on Monday night. This past weekend, the Red Sox endured a rough two losses in three nights to the American League East’s second-place Yankees, squandering an opportunity to gain some much-needed ground.
While Boston has less than 48 hours to continue exploring the market before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline, the Red Sox would much rather welcome back some of the organization’s current roster members back — and with open arms — as the team chases its first postseason berth since in the last three years.
Here’s what Cora revealed about the respective progressions of Triston Casas, Chris Martin and Justin Slaten:
Triston Casas (placed on the 60-day injured list on April 21)
Most recently, the Red Sox have utilized Dominic Smith and Romy Gonzalez at first base in place of Casas. However, the offensive production, especially in the power department, remains missing and it has taken a toll on Boston in several instances. The wait for Casas might not be too long as the 24-year-old, who took batting practice swings on Monday, is set to make a rehab appearance in Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.
“He feels good,” Cora said. “He feels really good, so tomorrow, he wants to play nine (innings). … He turned a corner really fast after the All-Star break. He feels comfortable with his swing, where he’s at and obviously, there’s a lot that goes into this.”
Chris Martin (placed on the 15-day injured list on July 4)
After the Red Sox bullpen combined to surrender 12 earned runs to the Yankees during their gut-punching rival series, it’s clear Boston needs some relief pitching assistance. Although the front office added Quinn Priester, who’s pitched 13 innings in 10 appearances with Pittsburgh, Boston could still use (much) more depth in that department.
Last season, Martin was the standout arm in Boston’s bullpen after finishing his debut run with the Red Sox by recording an impressive 1.05 ERA through 55 appearances.
“Marty is gonna throw a bullpen (session), I’ll say Wednesday or Thursday,” Cora said. “So we’ll see where we’re at. I think a rehab assignment right after that.”
Martin made an earlier trip to the injured list, too, back on June 5 due to anxiety.
Justin Slaten (placed on the 15-day injured list on July 12)
Like many other members of Boston’s current big-league roster, Slaten was called upon to help hold down the fort, and in the 26-year-old’s case, without any prior MLB experience.
Slaten logged 31 appearances of relief, going 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA before suffering a right elbow inflammation injury in July. Although the right-hander has begun throwing, Slaten is further away from returning than Martin.
“He’s still throwing like 75 feet,” Cora said. “When we get to 120, the next step is to go to the bullpen.”
