The Crimson Sox positioned infielder David Hamilton on the 10-day injured checklist yesterday as a consequence of a left index finger fracture, which he suffered on a bunt single the day earlier than. He informed reporters that the timetable could be 4 to 6 weeks however that he’s hoping to get that down to 2 to 3 weeks, which might be primarily based on his ache tolerance. Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic was amongst those that relayed the data on X.
The Sox have had a rotating solid of characters overlaying second base this yr. They’d deliberate on giving the gig to Vaughn Grissom after buying him from Atlanta for Chris Sale within the winter. However Grissom has been injured or struggling for a lot of the yr, which opened the spot for others. Aside from Grissom, ten totally different gamers have seen no less than a little bit of motion on the keystone for Boston this yr.
Nobody actually took maintain of the job however Hamilton arguably carried out the very best of the group. His .248/.303/.395 batting line this yr solely interprets to a 91 wRC+, indicating he’s been 9% under common, however he’s stolen 33 bases in 37 tries and has performed each center infield positions. His work at shortstop hasn’t been graded nicely however he has 9 Defensive Runs Saved and three Outs Above Common at second. Total, FanGraphs considers him to have been value 1.6 wins above alternative on the yr.
He might not get an opportunity to change these numbers within the wake of his damage. The four-to-six-week timeline would primarily wipe out his common season at this level. Even when he has an opportunity to come back again faster, that will most likely require the Sox to remain within the race. They’re presently 3.5 video games again of a playoff spot. In the event that they fall again within the coming weeks, there wouldn’t be a lot level in dashing Hamilton again earlier than he’s 100% wholesome.
For now, the Sox will seemingly hold the carousel of gamers going via the keystone, with Nick Sogard, Romy González and Mickey Gasper a number of the choices on the roster. Maybe they are going to recall Grissom sooner or later, although he’s presently getting common enjoying time at Triple-A Worcester.
One other X-factor within the membership’s center infield plans can be Trevor Story, who’s making an attempt to return to the membership earlier than the season is completed. He has been making an attempt to come back again from April shoulder surgical procedure that was initially regarded as season-ending and tells Rob Bradford of WEEI (X hyperlink) {that a} rehab project can be his subsequent step, although he didn’t present a particular date for beginning that rehab.
Even when Story does return to the Sox this yr, it’s anybody’s guess what type he can be in. The Sox signed him to a six-year, $140MM deal going into 2022 however haven’t obtained a lot on that funding but. He has missed important time as a consequence of varied illnesses, together with this yr’s shoulder surgical procedure and final yr’s elbow surgical procedure. He has solely appeared in 145 video games for the Sox since signing that deal and has hit simply .227/.288/.394 in his 598 plate appearances.
It’s truthful to conclude that the dearth of well being has performed a giant position in tamping down his manufacturing, however that additionally means there would possibly nonetheless be some rust if he returns to the membership within the subsequent few weeks. Nonetheless, it could possibly be good for the long run if he will get some enjoying time underneath his ft earlier than the winter. He’s nonetheless a giant a part of the membership’s future, with three years remaining on that deal. Ceddanne Rafaela has been enjoying shortstop of late however he’s not hitting a lot and nonetheless has choices. He could possibly be despatched right down to the minors or maybe be bumped right into a utility position since he’s additionally a succesful outfielder.
Turning to the pitching workers, right-hander Liam Hendriks could possibly be again within the majors quickly. The righty underwent Tommy John surgical procedure final yr however has began a rehab project and made 4 appearances within the minors this month. He tells Alex Speier of The Boston Globe that he’s concentrating on a return subsequent weekend.
Now 35, Hendriks has been on fairly a tumultuous journey in recent times. He missed the beginning of the 2023 season whereas coping with a prognosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After beating most cancers, he returned to the mound with the White Sox however solely made 5 appearances earlier than requiring the aforementioned surgical procedure. The Sox signed him within the offseason to a two-year take care of a $10MM assure and one other $10MM in incentives, realizing that they most likely wouldn’t get a lot out of the righty within the first season.
That was a logical step for the Sox as Hendriks was dominant previous to this odyssey. From 2019 to 2022, he made 226 appearances with a 2.26 earned run common, 38.8% strikeout fee and 5.1% stroll fee. On high of that, each Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin are set to hit free company after 2024, so signing Hendriks within the winter was a preemptive transfer to deal with the 2025 bullpen forward of schedule.
It’s additionally potential that Martin could possibly be again. He tells the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast (X hyperlink) that he’s planning on pitching once more subsequent yr, in what could be his age-39 season, so long as he feels good via the top of the present marketing campaign. He additionally spoke positively of the Crimson Sox group and appeared open to a return.
Martin and the Sox signed a two-year, $17.5MM deal heading into 2023. He has thrown 86 2/3 innings over the course of that take care of a 1.77 ERA, 25.1% strikeout fee, 48.1% floor ball fee and tiny 2.9% stroll fee. Given the continued robust outcomes, he figures to get robust curiosity from the Sox or some other membership across the league if he needs to maintain his profession going.