Triston Casas had initially targeted a return to action by July 2, but Alex Cora’s latest update suggests that may not be feasible. Casas engaged in a dry swinging session on Saturday and is scheduled for another on Sunday, according to a report by Colin McCarthy on June 29, 2024. Despite positive remarks from the Red Sox manager about Casas’s rehabilitation progress, he emphasized that Casas is still restricted to dry swinging. Although Casas had set an internal goal of returning by July 2, he has not yet progressed to taking live batting practice, indicating a delay in his recovery.
Cora commented on Casas’s condition following Saturday’s session, noting, “He obviously has general soreness. I think he’s going to do his stuff inside. I’m not sure if he’s going to go on the field, but he feels that it went OK with the swings. It was up to 30 if I’m not mistaken. We’ll see where we’re at tomorrow. He’s swinging again tomorrow.”
Casas has been sidelined for over two months since sustaining a rib cartilage tear on April 20, 2024. Recovery from rib cartilage injuries varies due to limited blood flow to the ribcage, leaving the exact timeline for Casas’s return to the Red Sox uncertain. His next anticipated step in rehabilitation would be progressing to live batting practice. Casas mentioned earlier in the week that he has mentally simulated “thousands of at-bats” to maintain his readiness for his eventual return.
Cora also provided an update on infielder Vaughn Grissom, who has been out of the lineup since early June due to a re-aggravated hamstring injury. Cora attributed Grissom’s extended absence in 2024 to his limited playing time, having missed spring training and dealing with subsequent setbacks during his rehab assignment.
Cora remarked, “He didn’t have spring training. He had the rehab assignment. He got sick. He gets hurt here. We have to make sure, first things first, that he’s stronger, and then after that we map it out.”
Given Grissom’s current status, it appears unlikely that he will return to the field imminently. When he does resume playing, it is expected that he will participate in several games with the Worcester team before potentially rejoining the Red Sox lineup in Boston.
