NEW YORK — Injured Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas continues to take swings but he still hasn’t faced the pitching machine.
“He actually took 25 dry swings yesterday,” manager Alex Cora said before Boston’s game against the Yankees on Friday. “Felt better.”
Casas is on the 60-day IL with some fractured cartilage which connects his ribcage to his sternum. He was eligible to return June 21 but he’s not expected back until sometime after the All-Star Break. He last played in a game April 20.
The 24-year-old slugger, who finished third for the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year, was batting .244 with a .344 on-base percentage, .513 slugging percentage, .857 OPS, six home runs, three doubles, 10 RBIs, 12 runs, 12 walks and 26 strikeouts in 22 games (90 plate appearances) before landing on the IL.
“I don’t know how many (swings he took) mentally,” Cora joked, referring to how Casas previously took imaginary swings in his mind. “I go by the report now. I don’t even ask him because the conversation might be longer than what I really want.”
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Hendriks throws another bullpen
Righty Liam Hendriks (recovering from Tommy John surgery) threw a bullpen here at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the fourth time he has taken the mound since throwing his first side session a week ago.
The plan is for the 35-year-old reliever to throw another bullpen here Sunday.
Grissom strength test
Second baseman Vaughn Grissom was scheduled for a strength test Friday.
“He was going to get tested today in the weight room to see where we’re at as far as like strength,” Cora said.
The Red Sox are being cautious with Vaughn Grissom’s rehab. The 23-year-old second baseman has been on the IL since June 2 with a right hamstring strain.
