How Wilyer Abreu Fared During First Rehab Appearance

The Boston Red Sox could use some more thump in the team’s starting lineup after trading away three-time All-Star Rafael Devers on Sunday. Replacing Devers’ production won’t be easy, but the team is one step closer to Wilyer Abreu’s return to the starting lineup.

On Tuesday, the team announced that the Gold Glove winner would begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester after the team placed him on the 10-day injured with a left oblique strain list on June 9.

Making his first appearance with Worcester, Abreu batted second and was penciled into the team’s designated hitter spot on Tuesday. Despite going 1-for-4 and being lifted for pinch-hitter Corey Rosier in the eighth inning, he contributed an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Woo Sox a 2-0 lead. He would later score on an RBI double off the bat of Vaughn Grissom.

There’s widespread belief that Abreu will rejoin the Red Sox on Friday when he’s first eligible to return from the IL. With the team slated to begin a three-game weekend series against the San Francisco Giants, it’s likely he’ll play a few innings in the field for Worcester this evening before the team makes a roster move.

Abreu was batting .245 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI prior to being sidelined. With the Red Sox currently dealing with a logjam in the outfield, it’s possible he will see more time at DH when he returns following the recent trade of Devers.