As the Boston Red Sox enter what could be a momentum-swinging four-game series this weekend with the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, we've seen a number of positive injury developments.
First and foremost, Boston remained optimistic on Wednesday that star outfielder Roman Anthony would be able to avoid a stint on the injured list. Anthony missed the final two games of the Red Sox's series with the Detroit Tigers after injuring his right wrist on a swing during an at-bat in the first inning of Monday's game. He then flew back to Boston to meet with a specialist.
“He feels a little better today, which is good. Nothing new to report,” interim manager Chad Tracy said on Wednesday, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. “We’ll know more going into tomorrow when we get back home and see him and how he’s feeling and progressing from there. That’ll give us a better idea.”
The other big question mark going into this Rays series is starting pitcher Ranger Suárez, who left his Sunday start against the Houston Astros after the fourth inning due to hamstring tightness. Suárez would be scheduled to start Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, and stayed in Boston for the team's three-game road trip to focus on his throwing program.
All we know on the Suárez front is that the Red Sox are "hopeful" to avoid an IL stint, per Cotillo, which is obviously good news. But as to whether the lefty will rebound properly to make a start on Saturday with no pitch restrictions, we'll likely have to wait until at least later in the day on Thursday when he (probably) throws a bullpen.
Other important notes: righty reliever Justin Slaten threw a clean inning in Triple-A Worcester's Wednesday game, marking a second successful rehab outing. He looks close to ready for a big-league return, but we'll see if Boston wants one more rehab outing before bringing him off the 15-day injured list.
Finally, it looks as though Willson Contreras wincing and flexing his hand during his final at-bat on Wednesday wasn't anything to worry about for now, as Tracy told the media (via NESN and Tyler Milliken) that he doesn't expect that to be a lingering concern.