BOSTON — Injuries keep mounting for the Boston Red Sox, as the team placed designated hitter Masataka Yoshida on the injured list ahead of Wednesday’s 6-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Yoshida injured his hand on Sunday and becomes the 13th Red Sox player to land on the IL this season.
Injury crises rocks Red sox
Yoshida joins shortstop Trevor Story and first baseman Triston Casas as Opening Day starters now sidelined due to injury. Story is out for the season following surgery to repair a fractured shoulder, while Casas will miss at least a few weeks with torn cartilage in his rib cage.
Additionally, three members of Boston’s initial starting rotation — Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, and Garrett Whitlock — are currently injured. This list doesn’t even include Lucas Giolito, whom the Red Sox signed as a free agent to strengthen the rotation, but who underwent Tommy John surgery during spring training.
On a positive note, projected starting second baseman Vaughn Grissom, who has been on the IL since the start of the season with a right hamstring issue, is expected to be activated on Friday, barring any setbacks, according to manager Alex Cora.
“He’s feeling good today,” Cora said of Vaughn Grissom, who is expected to be activated soon.
What’s next for Red Sox?
The Red Sox dodged another injury scare when Garrett Cooper, who was acquired to replace the injured Triston Casas, was hit by a pitch on his hand in his first game on Tuesday and had to leave early. He was available to play Wednesday but did not see action in the game.
Before Wednesday’s win over the Giants, an understandably frustrated Cora addressed the string of injuries. He commended the depth players for stepping up, helping the Red Sox maintain a 17-13 record, which improved to 18-13 after the win.
“It’s a star-driven league, we know that, but what you do with the edge of the roster is very important,” Cora said. “Having flexibility on the roster is huge. You can move guys around. That’s how franchises like the Rays have done it throughout the years. … I believe the edge of the roster can help you win eight, nine games a season.”
For the Red Sox, one key move has been switching rookie Ceddanne Rafaela from center field to shortstop. Rafaela has shown the rare ability to be a plus defender at both positions. Jarren Duran, who was the team’s regular center fielder in 2023, has moved back to center field after starting the season as the left fielder.
Cora mentioned that he’d been discussing these adjustments with outfielder Rob Refsnyder.
“We work so hard on chemistry and culture in spring training. Then you have a whole different team at the beginning of May,” Cora said. “It’s going to keep changing, but I do believe we’re in a good place. We’re playing good baseball, which is awesome.”
Speedy Recovery for all the injured stars
Craig Breslow, the team’s first-year chief baseball officer, has been actively finding replacements. In addition to acquiring Cooper from the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations, the Red Sox recently added backup infielder Zack Short from the New York Mets.
Boston also agreed to a one-year contract with first baseman Dominic Smith, who was released by the Rays on Tuesday after spending time in Triple-A. Smith hit .254/.326/.366 for the Washington Nationals last season.
Despite the injuries to the rotation, the Red Sox pitching staff has kept them above .500. They currently lead the majors with a 2.59 ERA, the team’s lowest ERA through 30 games since 1920. The starting rotation boasts a 2.00 ERA, the lowest by any team’s rotation through April since the 1981 Oakland A’s.
“If we keep doing the things we’re doing on the mound, it doesn’t matter who comes in,” Cora said. “We’re going to be in a good place.”
