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Red Sox lefty (biceps soreness) has rehab stint halted as rotation depth takes another hit
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- Red Sox lefty (biceps soreness) has rehab stint halted as rotation depth takes another hit
BOSTON — For the second time in a week, a rehabbing Red Sox starter has had his progress halted due to a new arm injury.
Left-hander Patrick Sandoval experienced biceps tightness after his last rehab outing Tuesday for Triple-A Worcester and is back in Boston for testing, manager Alex Cora said Sunday. Sandoval was supposed to pitch Sunday for the WooSox in Nashville but was scratched from his start.
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According to Cora, Sandoval's discomfort surfaced at the end of the week, days after he pitched. The Red Sox are unsure if they are going to formally pull Sandoval off his 30-day rehab assignment, which began April 8.
"Sandy felt some tightness (on) his Day 3, so he's here just to make sure everything's OK," Cora said. "I don't know what's next with him, but obviously they want to check on him."
The 29-year-old Sandoval has had his share of setbacks in his journey back to game action after undergoing elbow surgery (internal brace) as a member of the Angels in July 2024. Last season, after signing a two-year contract with Boston, the lefty was working toward a return when he experienced inflammation that caused him to be shut down . He entered spring training healthy this year but was not a candidate for the Opening Day roster due to a slow progression. He pitched in a game for the first time on April 8 in Worcester and has made two starts so far.
Sandoval went 3 ⅓ innings in that first start, then struggled Tuesday in Nashville, allowing five earned runs (while walking four batters and hitting three others) in two innings.
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His latest health setback comes just days after righty Kutter Crawford — who was also rehabbing after missing all of last season — was shut down due to elbow soreness. The Red Sox are awaiting the results of Crawford's MRI and hope to have them Sunday.
Both Sandoval and Crawford were expected to be early-season rotation reinforcements but have each dealt with repeated setbacks that have ruled them out. At this point, the Red Sox are hopeful the latest injuries are short-term issues.
"I'm here to support them," said Cora. "Obviously, it has been up and down."
Even after trading young arms Hunter Dobbins , Richard Fitts , Kyle Harrison , Shane Drohan , Luis Perales and David Sandlin over the winter, the Red Sox entered the season feeling good about their rotation depth behind their top four starters ( Garrett Crochet , Ranger Suárez , Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello ). Connelly Early emerged to win the No. 5 spot, pushing Johan Oviedo to the bullpen as a depth option along with Crawford, Sandoval and top prospect Payton Tolle . Now, Oviedo (shut down for six weeks due to a flexor strain), Tyler Uberstine (shoulder inflammation) , Crawford and Sandoval are all dealing with injuries, so Tolle is the top option if the Red Sox need an arm. Notably, the Red Sox scratched the lefty from his weekend start with the WooSox as a contingency plan if rain disrupts the schedule over the next two days.
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"If we don't play today, he'd probably be in the mix tomorrow," Cora said.
While Boston's Opening Day rotation is still intact, the next layer of depth has nearly evaporated due to injuries in the last couple weeks. Tolle is the likely next man up with lefty prospect Jake Bennett also potentially in the mix for a start if someone gets hurt.
"It's like every year, right? Last year, we were talking about how deep we were and then the season happened," Cora said. "This year, it's the same thing. I think the organization has done a good job getting arms and preparing for 162. Every organization gets tested throughout the season."
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