Injuries & Moves: Gutierrez acquired from Crew, optioned to Triple-A
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April 19: RHP Vladimir Gutierrez acquired from the Brewers, optioned to Triple-A
Gutierrez underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022 and reached the Majors for the first time since the operation with the Marlins on March 31, when he made his first and only appearance thus far. He allowed three runs in four innings to the Pirates in the outing. Gutierrez was viewed highly when he reached the big leagues in 2021, when he was the Reds' No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, but setbacks have kept him at only 154 2/3 innings since his debut, and he has a 5.47 career ERA.
Trevor Story was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL to clear space on the 40-man roster.
April 19: LHP Cam Booser has contract selected by Red Sox; LHP Joe Jacques designated for assignment
Booser, 31, was released in 2017 by the Twins organization but worked his way back into professional baseball in '22. He joined the Red Sox this season, and over 16 2/3 innings split between Spring Training and the Triple-A season, he's struck out 25 batters and walked one, using a high 90s fastball with a slider and a cutter to fool hitters. More on his unique journey >>
April 18: 3B Rafael Devers has bone bruise on left knee
Devers underwent an MRI Thursday morning that showed a bone bruise and no structural damage in his left knee, which he tweaked making a play on defense in Tuesday's loss. Devers sat out Thursday's finale of the homestand. At this point, the Red Sox are hopeful Devers can avoid a stint on the 10-day injured list. But the star slugger is taking a wait-and-see approach.
"Yeah, I don't know yet," said Devers. "But the thing that I know is I don't want to go back too soon and go back to that place. I'm going to take my time to be ready. When I feel good and when I feel 100 percent to play, that’s when I’m going to play."
April 18: OF Tyler O'Neill placed on 7-day injured list; OF Rob Refsnyder reinstated from 10-day injured list
Three days after O'Neill had a head-on collision with Devers that left him with eight stitches on his forehead, the outfielder was placed on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 16. The 7-day IL is specifically for players who are experiencing concussion symptoms. Depending on how O'Neill progresses, he could be activated as early as April 23, when the Red Sox open a three-game series in Cleveland. O'Neill said that it's his goal, but he also knows he needs to listen to his body and the training staff.
"So I've had a lot of dizziness, so I'm fighting through that a little bit," O'Neill said. "A lot of like fogginess. First couple of days, I was slow to think. It took me a little bit to recover from that. I'm feeling better now, so I feel like I'm on the right path, sort of through the last stages of lightheadedness. And I'm just a little more fatigued than I'm used to. But I'm thinking better now. And I feel like I'm on the right track."
7-DAY INJURED LIST
OF Tyler O'Neill (concussion)
Expected return: April 23 at the earliest
O'Neill was placed on the 7-day IL -- which is specifically for players with concussion-related symptoms -- three days after his head-on collision with Rafael Devers. The move was made retroactive to April 16, which means O'Neill could be back as early as April 23 if his symptoms subside. He joined the Red Sox for their trip to Pittsburgh on April 19, which manager Alex Cora said was a good sign. The right-handed hitter has played in 15 games with Boston, making 10 starts in right field and four in left field while hitting .313 with a team-leading seven home runs. (Last updated: April 19)
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
INF/OF Romy Gonzalez (left wrist sprain)
Expected return: TBD
Gonzalez was placed on the IL on April 13, retroactive to April 11, with a sprained left wrist. An MRI taken on April 17 showed no structural damage.
"Everything came out clean, so now it's about tolerating the pain or whatever he has going on and keep getting treatment," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "But as far as like structurally, he's good. (Last updated: April 18)
2B Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: Late April/early May
Grissom will continue his Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester when he plays second base on April 19. He was supposed to do so on April 18, but that game was rained out. Grissom was limited to DH in his first three games. Given that Grissom didn't play any Spring Training games, his rehab could be on the lengthier side. The maximum time for a position player on a Minor League rehab assignment is 20 days. (Last updated: April 18)
RHP Nick Pivetta (right elbow flexor strain)
Expected return: Later this month
After Pivetta was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow, the Red Sox placed the righty on the injured list, retroactive to April 6. He resumed playing catch on April 13 and will throw his first bullpen session on April 20. Pivetta went 1-1 with a 0.82 ERA in his first two starts this season before being shut down. (Last updated: April 18)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Early May
Whitlock suffered the injury during his start on April 16, and had to come out after four innings and 54 pitches. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the club doesn't deem it to be a serious injury and there's confidence he will be back after serving a minimum amount of time on the injured list. The earliest Whitlock is eligible to pitch again is May 1. The righty is off to a strong start with a 1-0 record and a 0.96 ERA in four starts. (Last updated: April 17)
RHP Bryan Mata (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: May at the earliest
Mata came to camp out of options, meaning he needed to earn a spot in the bullpen to avoid being designated for assignment. Instead, he suffered a hamstring strain early in camp and now needs to get healthy before the club can make a decision on his future. Mata is getting closer, as he is throwing bullpens, according to Red Sox manager Alex Cora. (Last updated: April 17)
RHP Isaiah Campbell (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: TBD
The reliever was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 12 with a right shoulder impingement. After pitching well in his first five outings with the Red Sox, the big righty was rocked on back-to-back nights on April 10 and 11, giving up eight hits and nine runs (eight earned) in just two innings. (Last updated: April 12)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
SS Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder)
Expected return: 2025
Story underwent surgery on April 12. According to a statement from the Red Sox, Story "underwent a successful arthroscopic repair of the posterior labrum, with an open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture of the glenoid rim. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache."
Story won't play again until next season. Story dislocated his shoulder diving for a ball on April 5 in Anaheim. He was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on April 19. (Last updated: April 19)
LHP Chris Murphy (left UCL)
Expected Return: 2025
Murphy, who came up as a starter before being converted into a multi-inning reliever last season, underwent successful reconstruction of the left ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington. (Last updated: April 10)
RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery)
Expected return: Late July/early August
After signing with the Red Sox in February, Hendriks said his goal of coming back from Tommy John surgery would be right around the July 30 Trade Deadline. In Hendricks, who is also signed for next season, Boston will get a reliever who has been dominant in the past. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized in a bullpen that also includes Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, though both of those pitchers have expiring contracts at the end of the season. (Last updated: March 28)
RHP Lucas Giolito (right UCL surgery)
Expected Return: 2025
Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 24. He underwent surgery to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament on March 12 after two Grapefruit League starts (4 1/3 innings). (Last updated: March 24)