If the Boston Red Sox want to get into postseason contention, Triston Casas and Garrett Whitlock returning would be powerful replacements. While in much different stages in their recovery, both Casas and Whitlock are getting closer to their Red Sox return.
Casas remains on the 60-day injured list with a rib injury. He won't be eligible to return until June 21. Still, the first baseman is remaining optimistic and still has plans to make his Boston return, via MLB.com.
“Everything is going well. I'm making a lot of progress,” Casas said. “Starting a running progression here in the next could of days. Should get to start throwing in two or three more days. I've already started lifting. Swinging is probably the last step, because that's a lot of rotation.”
“I'm picking weights up, not at 100 percent but slowly progressing into it. I'm starting to activate the core again. Doing planks on my knees and in a pushup position, I'm able to withstand my body weight. I'm ahead of schedule, so I like the progress I'm making.”
Whitlock – who is dealing with an oblique strain – pitched 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball with five strikeouts and one walk allowed in a rehab start on Wednesday. He forced 13 swings and misses over his outing, via Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. Looking stronger every time he steps on the mound, manager Alex Cora thinks Whitlock is closing in on a return, via MLB.com.
“The way he threw the other day [in batting practice], he should be okay,” Cora said. “He was hitting 94, 95.”
The Red Sox will be patiently waiting for the return of Triston Casas and Garrett Whitlock. Both are not only crucial to Boston's 2024 success but look like key component's of the team's foundation.
What Red Sox are missing in Triston Casas, Garrett Whitlock
Whitlock has been bouncing back between the starting rotation and bullpen. Boston gave him more of an opportunity to start in 2023, but that led to a 5.15 ERA. However, the Red Sox gave Whitlock another chance entering the 2024 season, and that seemed to be paying off.
In the four starts before his oblique strain, Whitlock put up a 1-0 record with a 1.96 ERA and a 17/7 K/BB ratio. If he operates on that level upon return, Boston will have found a true diamond in the rough.
But it's not like Whitlock is a stranger to success. Despite that rough 2023 ERA, the righty still holds an 18-11 record with a 3.39 ERA and a 252/52 K/BB ratio over his four years in Boston. Now entrenched in the rotation, the Red Sox are hoping he sticks.
Casas came to Boston with much more fanfare. Selected with the No. 26 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Casas was already the team's No. 2 prospect and 23rd-best in all of baseball in 2023, via MLB Pipeline. That ranking came after Casas made his MLB debut, hitting .197 with five home runs and 12 RBI.
Come 2023, the first baseman got a longer run at the MLB level, appearing in 132 games. He hit .263 with 24 home runs and 65 RBI. He looked to be headed towards the right track again to start the 2024 campaign, hitting .244 with six home runs and 10 RBI.
While Casas' return will take longer, his return will be just as sweet. The Red Sox sit 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. When Whitlock and Casas return, Boston is hopeful they'll be making a charge for the division.
