Health hasn’t been the Boston Red Sox’s biggest issue. However, it helps to have everyone intact.
Two injured veterans soon might rejoin the Red Sox, which obviously is a rare bit of good news for the club. Catcher Ryan Hanigan and outfielder Shane Victorino both are nearing rehab assignments.
Let’s assess the ailing Sox.
— Hanigan, who underwent surgery after breaking a knuckle on his throwing hand May 1, is expected to begin a rehab assignment Monday in Pawtucket. He’s eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list July 1.
It’s unclear whether Hanigan will be ready to return July 1, but Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium that that’s the goal, barring any setbacks. The Red Sox still are mapping out a schedule for the 34-year-old backstop.
“There’s a calendar in place and yet that’s being adjusted as he’s going through some of the early work here with BP and the bullpens that he’s catching,” Farrell told reporters. “There’s a plan to get him back into game shape, and eventually that will include multiple games behind the plate consecutively and we’ll work toward that.
“But right now, to give you an estimated time of how much he would need on rehab is probably a little early.”
Hanigan, who became Boston’s starting catcher after Christian Vazquez underwent Tommy John surgery toward the end of spring training, hit .222 with one homer, five RBIs and a .669 OPS in 19 games before landing on the shelf.
It’s unclear what Hanigan’s return will mean for catchers Blake Swihart and Sandy Leon. The Red Sox could choose to stick with Swihart as their starting catcher, particularly if the team falls further out of the playoff race. Leon is out of minor league options.
— Victorino, who was placed on the 15-day DL with a left calf injury May 24, is expected to participate in baserunning drills Saturday and Sunday as he nears a return to game action.
“Provided he comes through all that, we’re getting that much closer to getting him out on a rehab assignment,” Farrell said Friday.
Victorino is hitting .255 with one homer, three RBIs and a .724 OPS in 20 games this season. The 34-year-old was limited to 30 major league games last season because of various injuries.
— Dustin Pedroia, who has been out of the starting lineup for three of the last four games with left knee inflammation, could return to the starting nine as soon as Saturday. The second baseman took swings in the batting cage before Friday’s game.
“He had a good day (Friday),” Farrell said. “Felt improved over a day ago. He’s been able to get in the cage (Friday), which he didn’t experience any kind of soreness, so pretty much a day of testing and we would anticipate him back in the lineup (Saturday).”
— Justin Masterson is ready to go physically after making his fourth rehab start Tuesday with Pawtucket. The 30-year-old right-hander either will make another start for the PawSox or join Boston’s major league bullpen.
Rookie left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez now occupies the Red Sox’s rotation spot previously occupied by Masterson.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
