BOSTON — The Red Sox have had some foot issues.
Outfielder Allen Craig, catcher David Ross and second baseman Dustin Pedroia all have been forced to deal with some sort of foot ailment in recent weeks. Craig and Ross have been on the disabled list, while Pedroia left Friday’s game against the Houston Astros after fouling a ball off his right foot.
Red Sox manager John Farrell offered an update on Boston’s ailing players before Saturday’s game at Fenway Park.
— Craig, as expected, will begin a rehab assignment Monday.
“We’ve mapped out probably three days, but to say that all of those are going to be needed is to be determined,” Farrell said. “He’s in agreement that there needs to be some at-bats had, whether that’s four, whether that’s eight. We’ll cross that as we get through it.”
Craig was placed on the 15-day DL on Aug. 5 (retroactive to Aug. 2). The 30-year-old dealt with foot/ankle issues while with the St. Louis Cardinals. He injured his left foot while crossing first base awkwardly during his first game with the Red Sox on Aug. 1.
— Ross is expected to be activated either Monday or Tuesday. He will not require a rehab assignment.
Ross was placed on the DL on Aug. 2 after rupturing the plantar fascia in his right foot.
— Pedroia left Friday’s game before the ninth inning. He’s in Saturday’s starting lineup.
“He’s still a little sore, but not to the point of keeping him out of the lineup,” Farrell said. “He did a lot of icing of it, even after he left the ballpark here (Friday). He’s able to reduce and limit the swelling that was in there. The Fluoroscan was negative that was taken right after the game (Friday). Strength tests or any kind of situation to try to reproduce some of the symptoms are not there, so he’s clear to play.”
— Brandon Workman hasn’t exactly been dealing with an injury. However, the Red Sox opted to skip his last turn in the rotation to help alleviate some fatigue that might have been settling in. The right-hander’s velocity has dipped in recent starts.
Workman threw a bullpen session Friday. He’s still in line to pitch Monday.
“It was an opportunity to give him extended rest, which we prioritized,” Farrell said. “But his work day would be consistent with previous, and that is still primarily designed to repeat his delivery to throw the ball to the bottom of the strike zone. That’s when he’s been in trouble in games, is pitches that are elevated.”
