This season, the Red Sox’s start has been defined by highs and lows. And Alex Bregman has been a rare constant in that rollercoaster ride. Apart from his steady presence in the lineup, his performance has often been a bright spot amid a campaign riddled with inconsistency. But just as the Red Sox seemed to be gaining momentum, Bregman’s journey took a turn during a pivotal doubleheader.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The injury bug, already a persistent threat this season, has returned with a vengeance. And now, it may have claimed one of Boston’s most indispensable stars. Guess what, Bregman is the latest victim!
Bregman was removed in the fifth inning of Friday’s game against the Orioles. He is suspected of right quadriceps tightness, sending a wave of concern through the dugout and beyond. So, it was an unsettling moment for a team already grappling with a string of injuries. Especially when it came down to Breggy, one of Boston’s few reliable forces right now.
Now that’s enough for the fans to get concerned for the team, and why not? The team is struggling with third position in the AL East and a 26-26 record. Yes, the Red Sox are balancing on a thin line, and losing out on the best performer at this juncture is nothing but worrisome. However, the Red Sox’s manager, Alex Cora, shared a positive update.
“Hopefully, something minor, that he misses a few days. And if he goes on the IL, then hopefully it’s like 10 days. We’ll keep our fingers crossed, and like I said, we’ll know more tomorrow.” Cora also confirmed that Bregman doesn’t need any imaging now, which may indicate a minor injury.
The skipper expressed optimism following the game, and hopefully, a few days of rest will do the trick. While the team will breathe easier if that proves true, the timing is far from ideal.
With the Red Sox already navigating injuries to Masataka Yoshida and Romy Gonzalez, losing their star third baseman, even briefly, is yet another hurdle in a year that seems unwilling to give them a break.
Well, the concerns spiralling around A-Breg’s injury do have their reasons. As a Red Sox fan, you surely do not hope to lose the team’s best performer. This season, Bregman has been nothing short of spectacular. Through 50 games, Bregman has slashed .297/.381/.554, belting 11 HRs, 35 runs, and adding 17 doubles and 32 runs scored.
However, with Bregman’s probable sideline for a brief injured list, the bigger question is who will take the hot corner in his absence?
Bregman’s injury renewed the 3B contention in the Red Sox
Contention for 3B in the Red Sox means that infamous feud with Rafael Devers, the current DH of the team. But with Bregman now injured, will Devers ultimately get into the hot corner again? Well, we wish…
In the wake of Bregman’s early exit, Cora pointed to Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard, and Abraham Toro as potential fill-ins at third base. But the name we were expecting is absent from that list. Yes, Rafael Devers.
Devers has previously expressed frustration with the Red Sox front office after being shifted from third base to designated hitter and then asked to play first base. So, it is understandable that the team is steering clear of reigniting tensions with the veteran slugger. And also Devers’ current form as DH is satisfying enough for the team.
As the designated hitter, Devers crushed 2 HRs and tallied 8 RBIs in Friday’s win against the Orioles. This pushes his OPS to an impressive .972.
Plus, there is one name long rumored to get promoted to the big leagues. Marcelo Mayer. Though primarily a shortstop, Mayer has some experience at third and could be a viable short-term solution while also offering fans a glimpse of the club’s future.
Tbh, fans would be happy to check any of these options, but it’s Alex Bregman who needs to get back to the park. Isn’t it? A 26-26 record is too risky to get comfortable.
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