After leaving Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning, Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras is not in the lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Phillies.
The Boston Red Sox enter Tuesday night's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at 17-23 and in last place in the American League East. Through the first 40 games of the season, Boston cannot seem to escape the injury bug. After exiting Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning thanks to an injury, Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras will remain out of the lineup on Tuesday. Ahead of the game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy provided an update on Contreras' status.
What happened?
Contreras was struck with a sinker in his right hand during the first inning of Sunday's loss. After staying in the game to run the bases, he was replaced at first base by Andruw Monasterio at the top of the second inning. Tracy told reporters postgame that the initial scans were clean, but that Contreras would be reevaluated in the coming days.
Contreras will remain out of the lineup on Tuesday night, being replaced at first base by utility man Mickey Gasper, who will bat second against Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler.
What did Tracy say on Tuesday?
"He’s doing a lot better. Still a little sore, but he was able to get treatment and he was able to hit in the cage," Tracy told MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo, "We’re hopeful we’re going to be OK there, but it just felt like today was a day to give him a little bit more rest and make sure he gets through all of that and feels good," he continued
It appears as if the Red Sox have dodged a major bullet as Contreras was seen on the field by MassLive.com's Christopher Smith fielding grounders during Red Sox batting practice, and when asked by MLB.com's Ian Browne if he would play in Wednesday night's game, the 33-year-old gave a thumbs up.
Other Red Sox injury updates
Tracy issued several other updates on some injured Red Sox stars ahead of Tuesday night's game:
Outfielder Roman Anthony, who was placed on the injured list on Thursday with a wrist sprain, has yet to resume baseball activities per the Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. Anthony had been hopeful to return from the IL when he was first eligible on Friday, when the Red Sox take on the Braves.
Despite being eligible to return from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, it appears that Boston ace Garrett Crochet will still need more time to recover from left shoulder inflammation. According to McCaffrey, Crochet has only just begun throwing off a mound after throwing from 120 feet on Sunday.
The Red Sox will host the Phillies in game one of the three-game set that gets underway at Fenway Park on Tuesday night. Jovani Moran will serve as the opener for Boston's Brayan Bello, Zack Wheeler will get the start for Philadelphia. First pitch from is set for 6:45 p.m. ET.
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