NEW YORK — The Red Sox’s offense needs a boost. Fortunately for Boston, help soon could be on the way.
Third baseman Will Middlebrooks (calf) and outfielder Shane Victorino (hamstring) both worked out on the field before Friday’s Red Sox-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium. It was an encouraging sign for a club struggling to find the type of offensive production that was a hallmark of its 2013 World Series run.
“Both guys are making solid progress to the point of getting baseball activity under their belt, and I think (when) we get into Chicago (next week) we’ll get a better read on what the next steps are,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said Friday.
Middlebrooks, who suffered a calf strain during warmups before last Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, played light defense Friday.
Victorino, who suffered a hamstring strain while running the bases during the Red Sox’s final Grapefruit League game March 29, hit and ran before Friday’s game. Victorino also did some light running Tuesday at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox play the White Sox in Chicago on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and the club could have a better idea of each player’s status by the end of that series. Right now, according to Farrell, Victorino is a little bit ahead of Middlebrooks in terms of progress.
Middlebrooks and Victorino each likely will need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to major league action.
