On Monday ahead of game one of their three-game series against the Rockies (21-69), both Alex Bregman and Masataka Yoshida were again seen on the field pregame as they both continue rehabbing from injury.
Bregman was seen in the outfield partaking in sprinting drills with manager Alex Cora watching closely, and followed that up with reps in the batting cage.
The All-Star third baseman has been out with a right quad strain since May 23, sustaining the injury while trying to leg out a single in his team’s 19-5 win over Baltimore (40-49).
Joining Bregman in the batting cage on Monday was Yoshida, who has yet to make his 2025 debut for the Red Sox (46-45) as he continues recovering from surgery on his right shoulder last October.
While Boston’s offense has been better of late, both bats would be welcome additions to a lineup that has struggled to hit consistently against good starting pitching all season long.
And according to Cora during his pregame media availability on Monday, Boston’s offense may not have to wait much longer.
“Bregman - heavy day today,” said Cora. “He'll have another one tomorrow. We'll talk with him later on today, see what we can do. Realistically, [he’ll be back] sooner rather than later. How soon? We don't know yet, but he's hitting outside right now.
“He feels great. If it was up to him, [he would’ve been back] yesterday. But obviously it's not up to him. We'll make a decision as a group and go from there.
“Masa - he'll be activated this week. So another day of workout, probably another one tomorrow, and most likely [he’ll be back] Wednesday.”
While Cora’s update on Bregman should be seen as encouraging to Red Sox fans, he stopped short of saying the 31-year-old would be back by the start of Thursday’s series opener against the Rays (49-41).
“That’s a tough one,” said Cora. “Probably want to see him doing a little bit more. He feels like he can go right now, so that’s why I’m saying let’s get together as a group and be smart about it. And that’s what we’re gonna do.”
“What do you wanna see him do that he hasn’t yet?” asked MassLive’s Sean McAdam.
“I think it’s about bouncing back and being smart, right?” said Cora. “We got a big series right now. If we do what we’re supposed to do - win the series, move on - it’s gonna be a big series over the weekend. But one or two games are not gonna dictate the season, to be honest with you. So being smart is the best thing that we can do.”
Before Bregman’s injury, the two-time World Series champion was living up to the massive three-year, $120 million contract he signed in February, batting .299 with 11 homers, 35 RBI and an OPS of .938. He had an on base percentage of .385 and a slugging percentage of .553.
Getting both his leadership and bat back in the lineup will be massive for a team that has won six of their last eight games heading into Monday.
Boston will look to win their fourth in a row Monday night with Richard Fitts (0-3, 4.50 ERA) on the mound. Austin Gomber (0-1, 5.49 ERA) takes the bump for Colorado. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. ET.
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