Boston Red Sox Roster
- AL East
- Stadium
- Fenway Park
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) looked sharp in Wednesday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one walk. After throwing 40 of his 61 pitches for strikes on Wednesday, Whitlock should be good to go for a return to Boston's rotation as early as Monday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The 27-year-old right-hander recorded a 1.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 17:4 K:BB through four starts (18 1/3 innings) before suffering a strained left oblique, and he should probably be rostered in the majority of leagues with his return on the horizon. Fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before activating Whitlock if he faces the Rays in his first start back, considering the hurler gave up nine runs over 9 2/3 frames (two starts) against Tampa last year.
Boston Red Sox rookie shortstop/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. Rafaela really struggled in April with a .167 batting average, but he has turned it on in May thus far with a .275 batting average to accommodate his two homers and six RBI. Overall, the 23-year-old is hitting .211, but he has four homers and 23 RBI with four stolen bases. Managers that remained patient with Rafaela are starting to be rewarded and he is worth rostered in mixed leagues as he continues to improve and has good eligibility at shortstop and outfield.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (ribcage) has been making progress in his recovery from a torn cartilage and left ribcage injury. Casas was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 21 and eventually transferred to the 60-day injured list, which makes him eligible to return on June 21, at the earliest. Casas spoke with the media and mentioned that in the upcoming days, he will begin a running program and start his throwing program. The first baseman has started lifting weights but has yet to swing a bat, and that is projected to be the final step in his recovery. Casas is currently ahead of schedule but is still far away from returning to the field. The 24-year-old was off to a good start this season with six homers and 10 RBI over his first 78 at-bats, and fantasy managers with injured list spots should keep him on the roster until he returns.
Boston Red Sox corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan (finger) has been placed on the 7-day injured list with a fractured finger and is expected to miss several weeks. The 20-year-old has slowly slid down the rankings of Red Sox prospects within his time in the organization, but he has still produced at a respectable level. In 99 at-bats this season, Jordan hit .283 with two homers and 16 RBI. Jordan should be able to return later this summer, but he can remain on the waiver wire in most formats moving forward.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (oblique) will make his first and possibly only minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday morning. Manager Alex Cora said that if all goes well for Whitlock on Wednesday, he'll only need one rehab start. In addition, the skipper reiterated that Whitlock is a starting pitcher moving forward The 27-year-old is getting close to a return from the 15-day injured list and should be rostered in most fantasy leagues after getting off to a 1-0 start with a 1.96 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with seven walks and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over his first four starts this year before going on the injured list. Whitlock is attempting to return from a left-oblique strain that has kept him out for almost a month. When he's back, Cooper Criswell is the most in jeopardy of losing his rotation spot in Beantown.