Are you penciling Garrett Crochet into the Red Sox October bullpen? Getting back in time to contribute to the postseason is his goal, but he’s trying to maintain the right mindset. “I’m quite hopeful. I’m not gonna say [when], because I don’t know. The past couple times I’ve been like, ‘Oh yeah, I probably don’t even need to go on the IL and here I fucking am, four months later. Right now, I’m trying to practice delayed gratification with myself. Unless I’m crossing the finish line, I’m not going to start celebrating.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
One player who probably won’t contribute down the stretch of the regular season, though, is Masataka Yoshida. The DH and sometimes-outfielder was diagnosed with a “significant” hamstring strain and while the team has not ruled out a return in time for the postseason, it doesn’t appear likely at this point. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Thankfully, Roman Anthony is finally on rehab. The young star played in AA Portland last night and is thrilled to be back on the field. “I was driving here today, and it just felt weird to finally be here,” Anthony said. “It’s been a long, long process for me, and took a lot longer than I could have expected when I first did it. I’m happy that it’s all behind me, and I can just play baseball… You miss an extended period of time, and you realize how much you miss playing the game that you love to play so much. I landed yesterday, and it just [felt] like home.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
But if a ballfield feels like home to Anthony, then naturally he’s teammates would feel like family. And he recently said goodbye to a teammate he was really close to, Marcelo Mayer. “I think anytime somebody goes, it’s sad. Obviously, Marcelo hit a little different. I came up with him and lived with him every day. And he was my roommate since I was 18, 19 years old. So seeing him go, I was excited for him to kind of get a new opportunity and almost like a refresh. And to be back close to home. I think it’ll be good for him. And hopefully get to see him come to Boston. That’d be pretty cool, right?” (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
When Anthony does return, he’ll find a new slugger in the lineup. Adley Rutschman took his time acclimating to a new team and returning to form after his wrist injury, but he showed what he can do last night. “I think whenever you’re coming off the IL, you just never know,” he said. “Sometimes you feel good and then you go out there and the swings that you’re taking don’t work in the game as well. And sometimes you feel good and they do.” (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
Even if he does make it back to the big leagues soon, Anthony’s return won’t be the best thing that happens in Red Sox Nation this week. That’s because the annual Jimmy Fund Telethon raised more money than it ever has before. And, yes, there’s still time to donate. (WEEI)
