Bryce Brentz might have to wait until 2014 to take the next step.
Brentz is likely out for the remainder of the minor league season with a right knee injury, according to the Providence Journal’s Tim Britton. Brentz, who has spent the entire season with Triple-A Pawtucket, reportedly underwent surgery on his meniscus on July 16, and the recovery time for such an injury is typically about six weeks.
Brentz originally injured his knee on a slide on July 5, and he was subsequently placed on the disabled list on July 8. Pawtucket manager Gary DiSarcina reportedly said that there’s no reason to rush him back, meaning that the 24-year-old’s year could be over. The Red Sox could still consider Brentz to be an option when rosters expand in September, but it’s unclear what the outfielder’s status will be at that point or whether Boston would even want to use him after such a long layoff.
Brentz, a first-round draft pick in 2010, hit .272 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs in 75 games with the PawSox this season. He has tremendous power, but there are still some concerns about his plate discipline, which forced him to post just a .321 on-base percentage.
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