Red Sox Get More Good News About Injured Player At Key Position

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora issued a positive update on injured catcher Connor Wong on Tuesday.

And Cora had even more promising news Wednesday about Wong’s status.

“He’s feeling OK. Most likely he’ll go on a rehab assignment on Sunday,” Cora told reporters, per MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “How many (games he’ll need), we’re not sure yet. I’ve got to talk to him, talk to the hitting group, see how we feel. The catching part of it, he’s actually catching Tanner (Houck in a between-start bullpen session) right now. He’s passed that (test), so he should be fine.

“It’s just the hitting, and see what’s good for him and make a decision.”

It’s somewhat surprising Wong is ready for a rehab assignment since it looked like he was going to be on the shelf for a good amount of time after fracturing his pinky finger April 7. Wong sustained the injury when his gloved hand got in the way of a George Springer swing.

Cora didn’t rule out Wong joining the Red Sox when they travel to Toronto begin a three-game series against the Blue Jays starting next Tuesday.

The Red Sox have pieced it together behind the plate in Wong’s absence with Carlos Narváez and Blake Sabol sharing catching duties. Neither Narváez nor Sabol have provided an offensive jolt — they are hitting a combined .203 — but have handled the pitching staff well enough. And Wong didn’t exactly light it up offensively prior to his injury, going 2-for-23 to start the season.

Boston did sign two-time All-Star Yasmani Grandal to a minor league contract quickly after Wong’s injury. Grandal currently is with Triple-A Worcester and has a May 1 opt-out in his contract. He is hitting .308 with one home run and four RBIs in four games with Worcester.