Rehab assignment on horizon for Gonzalez (left shoulder)

This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK – With the Trade Deadline less than two months away, one thing that is crystal clear for the Red Sox is that they need to add another right-handed bat or two.

But Boston should have one important right-handed hitter back well before the Aug. 3 deadline.

Romy Gonzalez, the versatile defender who crushes left-handed pitching and holds his own against righties, is in the final stages of his rehab from left shoulder surgery that has prevented him from playing this season.

In recent days, Gonzalez’s hitting progression took its most significant step, as he was able to follow through while releasing his surgically repaired shoulder at the end of his swing during on-field batting practice. Before that, Gonzalez had been limited to two-handed swings.

For a team that has been seeking more offense all season, particularly at home, the return of Gonzalez would be significant.

In 51 games and 187 plate appearances at Fenway Park last season, Gonzalez slashed .320/.342/.500 with 14 doubles, four homers and 26 RBIs.

His biggest specialty is hammering lefties, against whom he had a line of .331/.378/.600 with seven homers and 25 RBIs in 143 plate appearances in ‘25.

“You guys are obviously well aware of what he did last year, and I think one thing that got overlooked is like it wasn't just against lefties; the guy performed against right-handed pitching as well,” said interim manager Chad Tracy. “And there's thump in the bat to all fields. So yeah, when he's healthy and on the field and feeling good, it's a formidable bat in the lineup that can do a lot of damage. So he’s versatile, and can move around the field ... that's a big add.”

Outside of Willson Contreras, the Red Sox haven’t received much production from the infield this season, which is another reason Gonzalez’s return will be beneficial.

So what does the timeline look like?

Gonzalez will continue taking one-handed swings for the next few days, and monitor how his shoulder responds. A Minor League rehab assignment could come soon after that.

The maximum time Gonzalez is permitted to take a rehab assignment is 20 days. Given that he hasn’t played any games since last October, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take close to the full 20 days.

“At least we're heading in the right direction there quickly, which is good,” said Tracy.