Willson Contreras is finally ready to get moving again. The Red Sox first baseman, who currently leads the squad in power, kicks off his rehab stint in Portland this Friday. It’s the first step back for a player who’s missed over a month of action due to a strained left hamstring. Fans have waited weeks for this news, and the timeline is now clear.
Contreras has been a force at the plate all season, hitting a career-high 26 home runs and driving in 79 runs so far. His return could reshape the entire lineup look for the final stretch of the year. According to the Associated Press, he’s eligible to come off the injured list later this week if the rehab goes well.
Getting Back on His Feet
The plan is simple: get the body moving and test the leg against live pitching. Red Sox Manager, Chad Tracy, confirmed the schedule in a recent update, stating, “He’s going to play at least Friday and we’ll check in with him after that.” The goal is to see if the hamstring holds up under game pressure before the team makes a final call.
Contreras has been sidelined since August 31. He had an injection after a game, but Tracy clarified it wasn’t a sign of something serious. “He had an injection after the game, not an injection like ‘something went wrong,'” Tracy said. The team simply needed to give him some days off to let the muscle heal. Now, the focus shifts to getting him ready for the big leagues.
He needs to feel comfortable running the bases and seeing fastballs again. Tracy explained the mindset behind the rehab game when he stated, “He just wants to get on his feet.” He has been out for some time, aiming to stand, observe pitching, play first base, and potentially reach base. It’s a low-stress way to gauge his health.
What the Numbers Say
The Red Sox need Contreras back more than almost anyone else. He is 34 years old and playing his first season in Boston after a trade from St. Louis. His .274 batting average and .900 OPS show he’s still hitting the ball hard. Per the Boston Herald, the hope is that he’ll only need one or two minor league games before returning to the majors.
Portland will serve as the testing ground. Tracy noted that the setting allows him to move around without the full pressure of Fenway Park. “He just wants to move around a bit in that setting prior to jumping back in,” Tracy said. If he clears Friday, the team will likely push for a quick return. The window to make the playoffs is closing fast.
Some might worry about rushing a player back from a leg injury. However, the team has managed his recovery carefully. They want to ensure he is fully ready before he steps into the batter’s box. As NBC Sports Boston reported, the timing of his return depends entirely on how he feels after Friday’s game.
