The Red Sox are a full week into camp, and rehabbing first baseman Triston Casas is already making his presence felt around the complex in Fort Myers.
Casas, who has been walking around with a red face mask in the warm Florida heat, is one of the forgotten players who is hoping to make a big impact at some point this coming season. Regardless of what he’s wearing on his face and why, the slugging first baseman is poised to get back to game action and help a team in 2026.
The 26-year-old is attempting to come back from a major injury, a torn left patellar tendon that he suffered last season trying to beat out a grounder.
Once Casas is able to come back, his position will be occupied by veteran first baseman Willson Contreras, who the Sox acquired from the Cardinals this winter. Despite all that, Casas is focused on getting back to game action.
“When I’m healthy, I fit on any team,” said Casas to MLB.com.
Casas’ comment of, “When I’m healthy, I fit on any team,” isn’t a throwaway line from a one-on-one interview. Is he talking about reclaiming his role on the Red Sox this season and beyond or acknowledging that once he’s healthy, he becomes movable in a trade?
Casas needs to get back to full speed before even thinking about joining the group in Grapefruit League game action or another team elsewhere in the big leagues.
“I don’t see myself participating with the group, but I will be doing the same activities baseball-wise [as the rest of the team],” said Casas. “But as of right now, I haven’t had the clearance to get out there and participate with the group, but I will take ground balls and continue to hit at my own pace, without the structure of being in a team workout.”
Health has been an issue for Casas the last two seasons. He suffered a rib cage injury that sidelined him for a chunk of the 2024 season and now is rehabbing back from the devastating knee injury from last season.
Even with him wanting to get back to regular action, he’s heeding the advice of doctors and is being patient as he rehabs.
“This was a major injury, and I’m a great player, and I don’t find any reason to rush this process. And whenever I feel ready to come back is when I am going to contribute best.”
Once he does get back, Contreras will be the starting first baseman, but Casas could contribute there on days off and be the designated hitter. The Sox have a ton of options to DH, including Masataka Yoshida, who continues to not fit the Red Sox roster, but the club is stuck until they can trade him or just decide to release him.
He is aiming for May 1 to get back into game action and will theoretically start with Triple-A Worcester once he’s cleared to play.
“It’s progressing well, and I’m meeting all the benchmarks that I am supposed to be on the right timetable currently,” said Casas. “So everything’s pointing in the right direction, and I’m feeling great in my progression.”
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If he’s healthy, Casas is an intriguing power option for the Sox, but the roster construction and his progress will be the deciding factors for when he plays again for the Red Sox.
The former first-round pick still thinks he has plenty to offer to the Red Sox once he’s fully healthy.
“This process has made me more confident than any hit could have, and I’m really proud of the training staff and the organization for how confident they’ve made me feel throughout this process,” Casas said. “They’ve been reassuring me and just making me feel comfortable and giving me all the tools that I need to be successful.”
Before Casas was injured, he was
