It took over three months of recovery time, but Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas returned to game action Tuesday night, kicking off a rehab stint with Triple-A Worcester.
Casas, who suffered a torn cartilage injury in his left rib on April 20, had undergone a patient journey toward regaining his full strength. In the meantime, the Red Sox have kept their postseason chances alive and well, entering Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline 6 1/2 games behind the division-leading Baltimore Orioles and one game back of the Kansas City Royals an American League wild-card spot.
And while Casas would undoubtedly be thrilled to contribute to Boston’s second-half run, the 24-year-old needed to first get some reps at Polar Park.
The Worcester Red Sox started Casas as their designated hitter and batted him second in an 11-6 win over the Buffalo Bisons. He logged four trips to the batter’s box before being substituted by Mark Kolozsvary in the bottom of the eighth inning, wrapping up the night for Casas.
Boston’s young left-handed-hitting slugger went 0-for-3 at the plate; first grounding out to shortstop after working a 3-2 count before striking out twice — once looking and once swinging. He also drew a walk. Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted that Casas felt prepared to play a full nine innings before Monday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners, but the priority was to get four at-bats. WooSox skipper Chad Tracy indicated that the plan moving forward is for Casas to play first base on Wednesday depending on how he feels, per Chris Henrique of Beyond the Monster.
“I feel like I was doing more while I was on the (injured list) than when I was playing,” Casas told reporters pregame, per Tommy Cassell of Worcester T&G Sports. “I was just getting to the field earlier, trying to get out of everybody’s way, get out of the training table, weight room and cage time and stuff. My days were packed. These last three months have just flown by. It feels like I just got here yesterday so it’s been a whirlwind of emotions, but I’m glad to be back.”
