Red Sox Slugger Playing Through Notable Injury For Potential Playoff Run
The Boston Red Sox have some notable names on the shelf right now, notably Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck. That said, there also are some players battling through injury that are on the active roster as well.
Red Sox designated hitter/utility man Justin Turner sustained an injury against the Seattle Mariners on July 31 that has since derailed his season but he has refused to go on the injured list to this point and wants to work through it.
“It’s an interesting one,” Turner told The Boston Globe's Alex Speier. “It’s a bone bruise. There’s no real remedy for a bone bruise. You ask a medical person, they’ll tell you 4-6 weeks avoiding impact.
“Obviously, I don’t have that luxury. So, trying to calm it down and get it as under control as I can and then try to go again and not piss it off. You don’t really have a lot of options.”
Turner is hitting .284 with 42 extra-base hits including 17 home runs, 71 RBIs and a .827 OPS in 105 games this season. He's been a crucial member of the roster in all aspects. The 38-year-old has been a vocal leader in the clubhouse, a consistent offensive contributor and has filled in all over the diamond, including at second base.
The impact of Turner in the lineup is substantial but he's been limited to just three games since the injury, where he was clearly not right. His limitations also negate some of the hype regarding Trevor Story's return. One slugger in, one slugger out -- or at least hampered and limited.
Turner is hoping to get to a point in the near future where he can continue to play through the injury and is showing toughness in attempting to do so. If he can come back at a similar level of production as he was posting pre-injury, the Red Sox will greatly benefit.
Boston will need all the help they can get as they are five games back in the American League Wild Card race with the clock ticking.
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