BOSTON — Stephen Drew’s right oblique continues to be an issue.
Drew will miss a fourth straight game Thursday when the Boston Red Sox host the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. The shortstop felt discomfort in his right oblique following a second round of batting practice Wednesday in Baltimore, and he could be in line for an MRI on Friday depending on how he responds to a full exam Thursday.
“Whether or not the MRI is needed tomorrow, and even if there’s any question, we’ll get it to get all the information possible,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Thursday’s game. “He’s frustrated by it and, at the same time, we can’t risk any longer term situation here.”
Drew began to feel tightness in his oblique during Sunday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. He missed the Red Sox’s entire series against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, and it remains unclear when the 31-year-old will return to the lineup.
An MRI — if it’s performed — should give the Red Sox a better indication to what extent there’s inflammation in Drew’s ailing oblique.
“If the information is deemed necessary, then (with) the information that’s derived from it, we’ll have a better read on a prognosis going forward,” Farrell said.
Drew is 1-for-14 with five strikeouts in four games since returning to the Red Sox.
