Triston Casas Injury: New Update On Red Sox First Baseman

With how well the Red Sox played the last month-plus, it was easy to forget Boston currently is without a few of its most important players.

Alex Cora's side steamrolled its way into the playoff picture without Triston Casas, who hasn't played since April 20 due to a rib cage strain. The first baseman himself was hoping to return in early July, but that timeline proved to be ambitious. Manager Alex Cora last Friday revealed Casas still is "far" away from rejoining the lineup.

That doesn't mean the 24-year-old isn't making progress in his recovery, though. Cora on Monday revealed Casas had "turned a corner" in his rehab, and The Boston Globe's Julian McWilliams provided another positive development Tuesday.

"Triston Casas (rib cage strain) is still just taking front toss and doing tee work," McWilliams wrote. "The hope is that he can progress to batting practice soon."

It will be very interesting to see if Casas' lingering injury influences the Red Sox front office before the trade deadline. A right-handed-hitting middle infielder appears to be Boston's top non-pitching priority leading up to July 30, but the club might prefer a more versatile player who can man first base.

And if the Red Sox choose that path, there could be a solution north of the border where a former Boston standout reportedly is "expected" to be traded.