The Boston Red Sox cannot shake the injury bug in the early going of the 2024 MLB season. They already lost starting shortstop Trevor Story for the season to a shoulder injury that will require surgery.
Pitcher Garrett Whitlock was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with an oblique strain. He will be joined by outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who was involved in a collision with third baseman Rafael Devers on Monday against the Cleveland Guardians.
O’Neill suffered a cut on his forehead that required eight stitches to close from the collision. In a positive update, he did clear the concussion protocol but was still placed on the seven-day IL, retroactive to Tuesday.
To take O’Neill’s spot on the roster, Boston activated outfielder Rob Refsnyder. Refsnyder had been on the injured list since March 25th because of a fractured toe on his left foot. He will have a huge hole to fill as O’Neill was off to a hot start with a team-high seven home runs and batting .313.
Devers is dealing with a bone bruise on his left knee and he underwent an MRI on Thursday. It has been a tough week for the star third baseman, who exited Tuesday’s game against the Guardians with discomfort in his knee before being the designated hitter on Wednesday.
He went hitless, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. The knee woes could certainly be playing a part in his struggles, as manager Alex Cora said the MRI was precautionary and the team isn’t expecting to place Devers on the IL.
“Just to make sure nothing is structurally wrong,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Devers getting an MRI. “He didn’t feel great … wasn’t able to stand on his leg. Let’s do (the MRI) so we know for peace of mind.”
To this point, Devers has struggled mightily. He is batting .188 with only two home runs and five RBIs through 13 games. With their best hitter struggling in the middle of the lineup, the Red Sox find themselves in last place in the loaded AL East with a 10-10 record.
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