Alex Cora Offers Timeline Updates On Injured Red Sox Pitchers

The Red Sox pitching staff could receive reinforcements before the end of the month.

Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito worked rehab assignments to try to get back to full strength. It seems like Bello is the closest to returning to Boston, according to manager Alex Cora.

“There’s a good chance he’ll be with us next week,” Cora told reporters Friday, per The Boston Globe’s Julian Benbow.

Bello started the season on the injured list due to a shoulder strain. He tossed 4 1/3 innings for Double-A Portland on Wednesday and made four rehab starts between the Sea Dogs and Triple-A Worcester. Hunter Dobbins likely will be optioned to the WooSox after Bello is activated.

Giolito is scheduled for one more rehab start after tossing two innings for Double-A Portland on Tuesday. He continues to recover from a left hamstring strain, but he won’t be joining Bello with Boston next week.

“I’ve got to sit down with him,” Cora said. “Obviously, he’s going to make the next one. It’s not physical, it’s stuff and the way you perform.

“So we’ll sit down, map it out, and he’ll join us sooner rather than later, I’m telling you that. But he won’t be here next week.”

Kutter Crawford and Connor Wong worked Friday at Fenway Park, and they hope to return from injury, too. The Red Sox received good news on Richard Fitts, who landed on the IL with a right pectoral strain after his start last Saturday. The right-hander hopes to not be out too long.

Liam Hendriks also continues to work his way back from the IL. Cora told reporters that the reliever could return as early as this weekend. If he does, he’ll be able to face off against his former team.

Boston continues its series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. You can catch full coverage on NESN starting with pregame at 3 p.m. ET.