First baseman Mike Napoli returned to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. Third baseman Will Middlebrooks and outfielder Shane Victorino also are on the mend.
Middlebrooks (finger) and Victorino (hamstring) will begin rehab assignments at Triple-A Pawtucket this weekend, according to Red Sox manager John Farrell. Middlebrooks will begin his assignment Friday, and Victorino likely will begin his Triple-A stint either Saturday or Sunday.
Middlebrooks isn’t expected to play third base right away. His fractured finger still is preventing him from throwing without any issues, and he’ll instead serve as the designated hitter for the PawSox on Friday. Middlebrooks has been on the disabled list since May 17.
Victorino, who has been doing agility work of late, ultimately could play some center field upon returning to the Red Sox. He’ll first need to prove he’s ready at Pawtucket, though, as Victorino has dealt with several injury issues since the beginning of spring training. Victorino, who began the regular season on the disabled list with a hamstring issue, returned to the DL with a hamstring injury on May 24.
Farrell said Monday that first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp (broken foot) remains in a boot. There’s currently no timetable for his return.
