Three days after casting doubt on his availability for the postseason, Crimson Sox slugger Willson Contreras is again within the lineup for Boston’s common season finale Sunday — and there is hope he could be out there Tuesday when the playoffs start.
Contreras is hitting third and serving as Boston’s designated hitter in opposition to the Cubs and lefty Shota Imanaga in a impartial website recreation between the golf equipment at Tropicana Subject in St. Petersburg, Fla. Main League Baseball moved the sport to Florida as a result of a major rainstorm in New England this weekend.
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Contreras has not performed in a recreation in 10 days — since Sept. 17 — when he was hit within the hand by a pitch through the eighth inning of a Crimson Sox win over the Rangers. He has prevented the injured record however earlier than Saturday, struggled to progress to some extent the place he may swing a bat comfortably on back-to-back days. As of Friday, Contreras’ outlook for his postseason availability appeared bleak. Clearly, the final 48 hours have included enchancment for Contreras, who will attempt to get by way of Sunday’s recreation with out ache forward of Recreation 1 of the Wild Card Collection on Tuesday in New York.
In accordance with supervisor Chad Tracy, Contreras’ hand confirmed marked enchancment throughout a workforce exercise at Tropicana Subject on Saturday.
“Fairly vital,” Tracy instructed reporters when requested about Contreras’ progress Sunday. “We had been in a position to are available in right here yesterday and do a workforce exercise with some guys who wanted to the touch the mound or get some work. He was one among them. To have the ability to see him come out, take (batting apply) and hit some dwell (pitching), that was an enormous step.”
All through the final week because the Crimson Sox performed at house, Contreras didn’t really feel ok to play however tried swinging (and taking batting apply) on a number of events. After Thursday’s recreation in opposition to Cleveland, Contreras met with reporters and mentioned he had tried — and failed — to swing comfortably each Wednesday and Thursday.
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Contreras mentioned he choked up at his locker at one level Thursday, fearing he wouldn’t be prepared for the beginning of the postseason. He additionally didn’t swing Friday, persevering with a sample he described as “actually regarding” earlier than seemingly turning a nook Saturday
“My hand hurts,” he mentioned Thursday. “I imply when it hurts, it hurts. Particularly when it is the highest hand. If it was the underside hand, I may swing with the appropriate hand, however when it is the appropriate hand, my proper hand simply feels weaker till I simply let the bat go. It is not a very good signal.”
“On the similar time, I am placing all my effort — every thing that I can do, I am doing it,” he mentioned. “I do not know what else to say. I am working arduous with the trainers, the hand is slowly getting higher. I have never been in a position to swing. I will be trustworthy with the workforce … I do know Tuesday is a extremely necessary recreation, a extremely necessary collection and I will be fully trustworthy with the workforce.”
Now, if all goes nicely, Contreras may very well be again in the course of Boston’s lineup in Recreation 1 in opposition to righty Cam Schlittler within the Bronx.
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“Clearly, he is in there right this moment,” Tracy mentioned. “Get him some dwell at-bats in a recreation, then hopefully we’re good to go.”
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