NEW YORK — By the time the Red Sox return home after four games in Baltimore this week, they’ll likely have some key players back from the injured list.
Rob Refsnyder (oblique), Wilyer Abreu (calf) and Justin Slaten (shoulder/neck) are all trending toward returning in the coming days, manager Alex Cora said Sunday. Refsnyder, who has been out since August 15, can come back as soon as Monday and it seems he feels good enough to do so. Slaten made another rehab appearance in Worcester on Sunday and might not need another outing before being activated. Abreu, who was placed on the IL on Friday after battling calf tightness for a few days, is scheduled to run at Camden Yards on Monday, a significant step toward a return.
Refsnyder will almost certainly be back before Abreu, though the Red Sox don’t face a left-handed starter until Thursday, when Cade Povich is scheduled to pitch for the O’s. Cora noted that Baltimore has left-handed relievers, too, though, so it’s possible Refsnyder comes back early in the week.
“Having him against lefties, that’s something we love,” said Cora. “He has missed three this week. We get one in Baltimore. We miss (Trevor) Rogers.”
It appears rookie Jhostynxon Garcia and call-up Nate Eaton will be the odd men out when Refsnyder and Abreu return. Abreu will be eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, when the Sox face Baltimore for the final time.
Slaten, who hasn’t pitched since May 28 due to a nerve issue in his shoulder and neck, needed just eight pitches in a scoreless fourth inning at Polar Park on Sunday. In his three rehab games, he has allowed one hit and an unearned run while striking out five. The Red Sox will see how Slaten feels Monday and there’s a possibility he’ll be in Baltimore, too.
When he does return, Slaten will reinforce a strong back-end bullpen mix that has been carried by Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman all season.
“It depends on how he feels tomorrow. Tomorrow is a big day. Then we’ll decide what we’re doing,” Cora said.
“We’re not rushing him. He’s too important for us. Where we’re at right now, it doesn’t make any sense to do that. Yesterday, I texted with him. He’s feeling great and feels like he’s ready.”
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