While one Red Sox pitcher is approaching the final step before returning from the injured list, another will have to wait a week before getting an official diagnosis on what is expected to be a serious elbow injury.
Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that righty Garrett Whitlock, who has ligament damage in his pitching elbow, has a May 29 appointment with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Dugas in Alabama to determine the next steps. In all likelihood, Whitlock will have season-ending surgery.
There was good news on reliever Isaiah Campbell, though. Campbell began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday night, striking out the side and walking a batter in a scoreless fourth inning. Campbell appears close to being fully healthy; he has missed more than a month since being placed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement April 12.
“It has been a while,” Cora said. “(He needs to pitch) back-to-backs and all that stuff.”
Campbell made the Opening Day roster after coming over in a December trade that sent infielder Luis Urías to Seattle. He allowed just one earned run in his first five appearances of the season but had back-to-back blow-ups on April 10 and April 11, allowing eight hits and nine runs (eight earned) in two innings as his ERA rose to 12.79. He hit the IL the next day.
The Red Sox like Campbell’s arsenal but could keep him in Triple-A when his rehab assignment ends because middle relievers Zack Kelly and Cam Booser are both pitching well. All three players have minor league options unlike Justin Slaten, a Rule 5 pick who must remain in the majors or be offered back to the Rangers (an unlikely scenario).
In other injury news, veteran reliever Liam Hendriks (Tommy John surgery recovery) is throwing on flat ground up to 120 feet and is still expected to return this season. Designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (left thumb strain) has not started baseball activities. First baseman Triston Casas (torn cartilage in ribcage) is doing physical activities but can’t be activated until June 21, at the earliest. Bryan Mata, who is in a unique roster situation, is slated to throw three innings in a rehab outing at Double-A Portland on Thursday night.
