Alex Cora Reveals Exciting New Plan For Injured Red Sox Superstar
Since activating Alex Bregman from the injured list on July 11, the Boston Red Sox have been carefully easing him back in. He’s started six of the team’s last nine games and has yet to start three consecutive games, ensuring that he gets plenty of rest and doesn’t over-exert himself.
According to Alex Cora, however, those days are over.
Prior to Wednesday’s wild 9-8 win over the Philadelphia Phillies (which Bregman didn’t start), Cora revealed to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo that Bregman will play more frequently and resume an everyday workload going forward.
“He has been good,” Cora said. “Yesterday, I asked (head athletic trainer) Brandon (Henry) about today. He’s like, ‘We’ll stay with the plan.’ He won’t start today, or he won’t play, then he’ll be ready for Friday. I think from Friday on, he’ll be full-go.”
Following Thursday’s off day, Bregman is expected to return to the starting lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park. With the Red Sox battling for a playoff spot, he’ll likely be in the lineup most days going forward.
However, Cora told Cotillo that Bregman is still going to take it easy on the bases to avoid aggravating his quad injury, which caused him to miss 43 games earlier this season.
The 31-year-old All-Star returned five weeks ahead of schedule, hence why Boston is being so cautious with him. The Red Sox can’t afford to lose him for an extended period down the stretch.
“We’ll play it safe the whole time,” Cora said. “You’ve just got to be smart.”
Bregman has struggled a bit offensively since returning from the IL, batting .222/.222/.370 with six hits in 27 at-bats. However, he’s been one of the team’s most valuable players this season, slashing .290/.368/.531 with 12 homers, 38 RBI and 2.7 WAR in 59 games.