Injured Red Sox Star Reportedly Set To Begin Rehab Stint; Could Move Be Coming For Boston?
The Boston Red Sox are finally starting to get healthy.
Boston has surprised people and is 28-25 through 53 games so far this season and to make it even more impressive, the club hasn't been fully healthy at any point yet this season. The Red Sox have been without the services of star infielder Trevor Story all season, outfielder Adam Duvall for all but eight games, and the club's starting rotation also has dealt with a plethora of injuries. The rotation finally is healthy, Story is making progress, and Duvall reportedly is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday night, according to the Boston Globe's Alex Speier.
"Outfielder Adam Duvall, out since April 10 with a distal radius fracture in his left wrist, will start a rehab assignment Tuesday with the (Worcester WooSox)," Speier said. "He will be the designated hitter for a game before playing in the outfield. Duvall is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on June 9."
Duvall arguably was Boston's best player over the first two weeks of the season before suffering a fractured left wrist. The slugger slashed .455/.514/1.030 to go along with four home runs and 14 RBIs. Duvall tallied five doubles and a triple with an eye-popping 1.544 OPS. The 34-year-old's eventual return to the field will be a welcomed sight for Boston fans. If he can return to his early-season form, he'll give a boost to a Boston offense that has somewhat been stalling lately.
Boston will have some decisions to make when the one-time All-Star is ready to return to the big leagues. Young outfielder Jarren Duran has taken over center field and has been extremely impressive, but has been slumping lately. Alex Verdugo and Masataka Yoshida man the corner outfield spots and will remain in their everyday roles. Boston will have to figure out playing time between Duvall and Duran. If the club wants to keep Duran in an everyday role, they could opt to option first baseman Triston Casas to Triple-A, move Justin Turner to first base, and keep Duval at designated hitter.
All in all Duvall's return only could help the Red Sox, but the club will have to determine playing time afterward.
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