The Boston Red Sox could soon welcome Alex Bregman back to the lineup.
Bregman hasn’t played since a right quad injury sent him to the injured list in late May. The third baseman took a significant step when resuming baseball activities over the weekend, and Alex Cora offered a positive update on Monday, per WEEI’s Rob Bradford.
“The way he’s talking about it, he’s close to 100 percent,” Cora said.
Bregman also said he’s “feeling great,” courtesy of the Boston Herald’s Gabrielle Starr. The 31-year-old is due for a reassessment this weekend, which will mark six weeks on the injured list.
Bregman’s Red Sox tenure started as great as anybody could have hoped. The longtime Houston Astros star batted .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs in his first 51 games. As of Monday, Bregman ranks fourth in WAR among all third basemen despite the lengthy absence.
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Promoted to replace Bregman at the hot corner, rookie Marcelo Mayer has posted a .262 on-base percentage in 27 games. The two-time World Series champion will return to a ballclub which has traded Rafael Devers since his last appearance.
According to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, Bregman will keep running, swinging a bat and taking infield reps during Boston’s three-game home series against the Cincinnati Reds to start the week. Although he’s unlikely to travel with the team to Washington this weekend, Bregman wouldn’t rule out forgoing a minor-league rehab assignment and returning to the Red Sox before the All-Star break.
“Maybe. You never know,” Bregman said Saturday. “It just depends on when it is. If it’s sooner rather than later, maybe no. If we have the ability to get it in when I’m missing time here, that would be great.”
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The Red Sox could certainly use a healthy Bregman during the second half. They’re 41-44 entering Monday night’s game against the Reds at Fenway Park.
Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images
