KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A week after placing starter Walker Buehler on the injured list with bursitis in his pitching shoulder, the Red Sox now have a clearer pitcher of when he will return to their starting rotation.
Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Buehler will “probably” pitch for Boston during their series against the Mets, which runs from May 19-21 (next Monday-Wednesday). The righty is eligible to be activated off the IL on Wednesday, when the Red Sox face the Tigers in their sixth and final game of a road trip. He’s not with the team, however, and will wait
“It won’t be on this trip,“ Cora said. ”It’ll be on the homestand… Probably, the Mets series.”
Buehler, who didn’t recover as expected from his last start in Cleveland on April 26, was relieved to discover there’s no structural damage in the shoulder. He’s ramping up his throwing progression again.
“He played catch yesterday,” Cora said. “I think he’s getting off the mound either tomorrow or Monday.”
Other Red Sox injury updates:
*** Righty Kutter Crawford (right patellar tendinopathy) threw another live batting practice session against hitters in Fort Myers on Friday. He has done that a few times and could get the green light to go on a rehab assignment relatively soon.
“He’s doing good,” Cora said. “I don’t know what’ll be the next step but they feel good the way it went.”
*** Righty Richard Fitts (right pectoral strain) is also trending in the right direction. He has not faced hitters yet and has now been out almost a month (April 13).
“He threw a bullpen during the week. He’s feeling better,” Cora said. “I don’t know what’s next for him. An up-and-down, probably Monday, so he’s trending in the right direction.”
*** Masataka Yoshida (right shoulder labral repair) has not yet been cleared to restart his throwing program after receiving a cortisone shot Sunday.
*** Romy Gonzalez (left quad contusion) was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 8, three days after colliding with Rangers first baseman Josh Smith. He’s expected to miss the minimum amount of time he can.
“It’s a short-term thing,” Cora said. “He wasn’t bouncing back the way we expected early, so it makes sense just to take care of him. He’ll be alright.”
Outfielder Rob Refsnyder (back spasms) was out of the lineup again but he’s going to avoid an IL stint.
“This happened a few days ago. A little bit tight,” Cora said. “We needed him yesterday, to be honest with you, not before that. It’s part of 162. He should be OK. He swung the bat today in the cage, feeling a lot better. We expect him to start over the week. Not tonight, of course. But we’ve got (Tarik) Skubal and we’ve got Chris (Sale) coming up, so he’ll be ready.”
