Red Sox’s Alex Cora Clears Air Regarding Triston Casas Update

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora addressed the Triston Casas injury concerns that followed the 24-year-old's latest update from Triple-A Worcester, debunking all misleading speculation before Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers.

"Sometimes I read stuff and I'm like, 'Are we in the same page here?'" Cora told reporters, per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. "That one caught me off guard. We had a good conversation with Triston. He's fine."

Casas took live batting practice Monday at Fenway Park before officially kicking off his rehab assignment in Worcester on Tuesday. First, the WooSox plugged the left-handed-hitting slugger in at designated hitter before skipper Chad Tracy allowed Casas to take the field at first base. Casas got four at-bats before being substituted on Tuesday, going 1-for-4, but drew eyes after providing a presumably concerning update ahead of Saturday's game in Worcester -- which slated Casas to hit second at designated hitter.

"Right now when I make contact with the ball, it feels like someone's stabbing me with a knife right in the ribs ... Right when it happened I felt like I got shot with a gun, so it's dulled down," Casas told WooSox reporter Laura Stickells.

The Red Sox have long awaited the return of Casas. As the team approaches its most critical stretch that'll ultimately decide whether or not Boston will seize its first postseason appearance in three years or falter, the Red Sox will need all the help they can get. They've kept a feasible postseason race intact despite not having Casas, Trevor Story, Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock, leaving Cora to keep the ship afloat with an ever-revolving door of newcomers, mostly from Worcester. Cora's task hasn't been easy but the fifth-year skipper reassured everyone: Casas is doing well.

"It's all fun and games, right? But to a certain point, like when I get messages from people (asking) are you guys taking care of this kid?" Cora added, per Abraham. "I think we're doing everything the right way. So we talked to him and hopefully that’s the end of gunshots and knives."