BOSTON — When invaluable Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu exited the game on Aug. 17 against the Marlins with a right calf strain, the hope was that he’d be out of action for just 10 days or so.
A month later, Abreu is still on the road to recovery, but there at last appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. And not a minute too soon for an offense that has struggled with Abreu and Roman Anthony (left oblique strain) both out of action since Sept. 3.
“He’s going to stay here [when the team flies to Tampa Thursday night], and [Friday], he’s going to have a workout, he’s going to run the bases. He’s feeling a lot better,” manager Alex Cora said before Boston’s series finale vs. the A’s Thursday. “Just talked to him in the weight room. If everything goes well, he’ll fly to Tampa, and then we’ll decide when he’ll be active.”
Without a further setback, Abreu could be in line to return Saturday or Sunday against the Rays, or by the start of a three-game series in Toronto on Tuesday.
Not only that, but Abreu, who won the Gold Glove Award in his rookie season a year ago, has been a top-shelf defender this season in Fenway Park’s challenging right field.
“I think in the lineup and defensively,” Cora said. “[Rob Refsnyder] played great, and Nate [Eaton] has been solid, but we’re talking about the Gold Glover, the best defensive right fielder in the league, and when those three [Duran, Rafaela and Abreu] play together, it’s game-changing. But I think offensively, hitting the ball out of the ballpark is something we’re missing, and hopefully when he gets back, his timing is OK and he can hit a few [homers]. He’s a good hitter.”
While Abreu should be back within the week, Anthony won’t be back until the postseason at some point, should the Red Sox get there.
This week, Anthony has been walking on the treadmill and riding an exercise bike.
