WASHINGTON — Alex Bregman did not travel with the Red Sox on their quick three-day trip to Washington, D.C. But there’s at least a chance he’ll be back in the lineup soon after the club returns home Monday.
Asked if Bregman would return during the week-long homestand preceding the All-Star break, manager Alex Cora said: “I hope so.”
“Alex is back in Boston. He’s doing his rehab,” Cora said. “Talked to him yesterday. A lot better, so we’re getting close.”
Bregman, who has been out since May 23 with a right quad strain, ramped up baseball activities last week and said he’s close to 100%. He has repeatedly said he believes he can return without going on a rehab assignment and at this point, the Red Sox seem to agree.
Boston will finish the (unofficial) first half of its season with three games against the Rockies and four against the Rays from Monday through Sunday before their four-day break begins July 14. Could Bregman be back as soon as Monday’s series opener against Colorado?
“Happy Fourth,” smiled Cora.
Rehabbers heading to Portland
Fans at Hadlock Field will get to see their share of major league talent this weekend with injured Red Sox Tanner Houck, Hunter Dobbins and Masataka Yoshida all joining Double-A Portland for rehab games.
Houck (right flexor pronator strain) will pitch Friday night against New Hampshire while Dobbins (right elbow strain) is slated to go Saturday night. Yoshida, who played two rehab games at Triple-A Worcester to start his week, will be in the lineup for the Sea Dogs. He’s expected to serve as the designated hitter and play left field over the course of the weekend.
Houck, who owns a 12.79 ERA and has allowed 12 hits in 6 ⅓ rehab innings with the WooSox, followed an opener in his last outing Sunday. It’s unclear if that’ll happen again Friday — or if the Red Sox are considering a relief role for when he’s activated.
“Right now, getting him healthy, getting him back on track,” Cora said. “They (pitching coaches) recognized a few things in the last outing he needs to do better and hopefully, he can.”
Houck’s 30-day rehab clock started June 18 so the Red Sox might not be in a rush to get him back in the majors. Dobbins, on the other hand, has only been out since June 21 with his minor elbow ailment and could rejoin the big league rotation soon.
Yoshida is 1-for-5 with a walk and a strikeout in six plate appearances with the WooSox.
“He feels good. He made a throw yesterday at 81 mph,” Cora said.
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