BOSTON — Red Sox setup man Chris Martin pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab outing for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. He tossed the seventh inning in the WooSox’ 12-6 win over Buffalo. He recorded two groundouts and one lineout. He walked one batter.
Martin likely will be activated from the 15-day injured list (anxiety) Tuesday when the Red Sox play the second game of a three-game series in Toronto. Boston placed him on the IL June 5 (retroactive to June 2).
“Huge,” manager Alex Cora said about getting Martin back. “And healthy, which is the most important thing. … He’s in a good spot. Hopefully this helped him, too, to reset his body and we get the best version of him — the strike-throwing machine with quality strikes. I think we’re probably going to get that guy.”
The 38-year-old righty has dealt with an injured left shoulder (non-pitching arm) that has affected his delivery throughout the season. The Red Sox hope the time down also helped that physical issue.
Martin is a tremendous strike-thrower. He has walked just 10 batters in 72 ⅔ innings (1.2 walks per nine innings) in two years with Boston.
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Gonzalez also nearing return
Utility infielder Romy Gonzalez (left hamstring strain) went 4-for-6 with a double, three RBIs, one steal and one run in his third rehab game for Worcester on Sunday.
“Romy had a great game. He wasted four hits down there,” Cora joked. “He played first. He played short. There’s a good chance he’ll join us in Toronto.”
Gonzalez went 6-for-12 in his three rehab games.
“Today was a heavy day as far as like workload,” Cora said. “So we’ll see where we’re at and if he needs to go back and get more at-bats, we’ll do that. But as of now, it feels like he’s ready to go.”
Abreu might join team in Cincy
Wilyer Abreu (right ankle sprain) is expected to play in rehab games for Worcester on Tuesday and Wednesday. He’ll be reevaluated Thursday.
“And hopefully he’ll be active in Cincinnati,” Cora said.
The Red Sox play the Reds in Cincinnati Friday-Sunday.
