The Boston Red Sox have made it clear that Willson Contreras will be stepping up as their opening day first baseman, taking on the lion's share of duties at the position. This decision comes amid speculation about how the team will manage first base once Triston Casas is back in action following his injury.
While the exact timeline for Casas' return remains uncertain, recent updates suggest the Red Sox won't face any immediate dilemmas regarding his playing time. Casas himself shared that he hasn't finalized plans with the team about where he'll continue his rehab.
"I don’t have a plan to start Opening Day with an affiliate," he mentioned, indicating that discussions about his April whereabouts are still ongoing. With return-to-play guidelines suggesting a 12 to 14-month recovery, Casas is currently at the 10 and a half-month mark, meaning he's nearing readiness but isn't quite there yet.
The Red Sox are eyeing early May as a potential start for Casas' rehab assignment, which typically spans 2-3 weeks. This timeline sets the stage for a possible return by late June if he aligns with the 12-month recovery window. However, if his recovery leans towards the 14-month mark, his comeback could be pushed to later in the summer.
Initially, there was hope within the organization that Casas might see some minor league action by the end of spring training, but those plans have been shelved. The focus now is on ensuring Casas returns fully fit, with the Red Sox remaining optimistic about his return to the diamond as soon as possible.