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Red Sox injuries: Kutter Crawford (elbow) likely to have MRI; key reliever slow in return bid
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- Red Sox injuries: Kutter Crawford (elbow) likely to have MRI; key reliever slow in return bid
BOSTON — As the Red Sox returned home to begin a seven-game homestand Friday , manager Alex Cora offered injury updates on several members of the roster. Here’s a rundown:
Imaging possible for Crawford
Right-hander Kutter Crawford , who was pulled off his rehab assignment after one start earlier this week due to elbow soreness , is still not throwing and might undergo a precautionary MRI on his arm, Cora said.
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“(He’s) a little bit sore,” said Cora. “There’s a chance — he was talking to (head athletic trainer Brandon Henry) — that he’ll get some imaging, just to make sure we are in the right place, understanding sometimes you don’t get the news you expect. I saw him yesterday, too. It seems like he’s in an OK place mentally. It’s just a matter of making sure everything’s good."
Crawford, who is on the IL as he recovers from knee and wrist issues that held him out for all of 2025, allowed five runs on six hits (including three homers) and one walk while striking out five in three innings for the WooSox last weekend. He reported elbow soreness after that outing and the Red Sox shut him down for what was hoped to be a short stint. Now, the parties involved are awaiting further news.
Slaten slower than expected
Reliever Justin Slaten (right oblique strain) is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list Monday — and said when he was placed on the IL that he was hopeful it would be the minimum stint . That, however, is not in play as Slaten is in the early stages of resuming a throwing progression.
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“He’s going to start playing catch either today or tomorrow,” Cora said.
Slaten, who last pitched on April 4, would need to throw off a mound multiple times before facing hitters, presumably in a minor league game. His timetable for a return is unknown.
Gonzalez working out
Infielder Romy Gonzalez , who had left shoulder surgery in March, worked out at Fenway Park before Friday’s game but has not started baseball activities yet. As someone on the 60-day injured list, he’s not eligible to return until the end of May.
“Romy is going through his progression,” Cora said. “I saw him yesterday. We came here with the family a little bit and he said he’s feeling good. Nothing close yet.”
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Sandoval will pitch again Sunday; Uberstine hits IL
At Triple-A Worcester, left-hander Patrick Sandoval remains listed as the scheduled starter for Sunday’s game in Nashville. That would mark the third rehab start for the southpaw, who is working his way back from elbow surgery that cost him much of 2024 and all of 2025.
Sandoval can only be on a rehab assignment for 30 days before the Red Sox make a decision on him. He’s about halfway through that maximum stint.
The WooSox also placed right-hander Tyler Uberstine (who is on the 40-man roster) on the seven-day injured list with right shoulder soreness. Uberstine made his major league debut earlier in the season and last pitched for Worcester on Tuesday, going 2 ⅔ innings.
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