Red Sox Reinstate Triston Casas From Injured List After Lengthy Absence

UPDATE (4:30 p.m. ET): The Boston Red Sox officially reinstated Triston Casas from the 60-day injured list before Friday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Red Sox designated Dominic Smith for assignment in a corresponding roster move.

Boston also reinstated pitcher Cooper Criswell from the COVID-19 related injured list and optioned pitcher Chase Shugart to Triple-A Worcester.

ORIGINAL POST: He's back.

Triston Casas is expected to be activated from the injured list Friday, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.

Casas had been shelved since April 20, as he tore cartilage in his ribcage during a swing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Boston took it (extremely) slow with his rehabilitation from the injury, but Friday is expected to mark the 24-year-old's return, with Ian Browne of MLB.com confirming the report.

Casas is a game-changing addition for the Red Sox, who saw him slash .244/.344/.513 with six home runs through the first month of the season.

The Red Sox eased their first baseman back into action with an 11-game run in Triple-A Worcester, in which he slashed .300/.404/.550 in 47 plate appearances, with one homer and seven RBIs.

Dominic Smith has received most of the playing time at first base during the absence of Casas, filling in admirably. Boston will have to make a tough decision with the left-handed veteran, as basic roster construction principles would suggest a right-handed option would fit best alongside the returning slugger.

The Red Sox will have to make a 40-man roster move to return Casas to the roster. James Paxton is an option to replace him on the 60-day IL, so long as his partial calf tear is indeed a season-ending injury.