The Boston Red Sox have done remarkably well considering how many key pieces of their roster have missed substantial time due to injury.
While it appears that the young guns are able to handle their own at the big-league level, the updates regarding some of Boston's stars are a great sign for the stretch run.
There are some notable new injuries for the Red Sox, including third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Xander Bogaerts. While Devers appears to be a bit banged up and will miss his second-consecutive game, Bogaerts is playing through a left thigh laceration that required seven stitches, and has specific restrictions on the field.
Michael Wacha is also on the active roster, but dealing with a "heavy arm" issue. Manager Alex Cora is hopeful he can return Friday against the New York Yankees.
As far as the players currently on the injured list, just about everyone appears to be making progress toward a return to Boston.
Versatile center fielder Kiké Hernández, pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock, who nearly suffered a setback throwing on Tuesday, are all expected to be on rehab starts soon, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. As he noted, Chris Sale and Josh Taylor will appear for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
It's expected to be Sale's final rehab start, barring a setback, and Taylor has had enough outings to return, but hasn't found the lethal pitches he had a season ago.
Even the oldest pitcher in Major League Baseball appears to be healing swiftly from a left knee sprain.
"Rich Hill just finished up a throwing session off flat ground," The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham tweeted Wednesday. "Said his knee felt good. His IL stint is trending toward the shorter side (it) seems like."
Based on the progress of several veterans, there could be a substantial roster shake up coming, and the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline will not make those decisions any easier.
