Triston Casas to rejoin Red Sox for Friday night's game vs. Orioles
BOSTON -- Triston Casas is expected to make his long-awaited return to the Red Sox lineup Friday night as the team continues its four-game series against the Orioles in Baltimore.
The first baseman missed nearly fourth months with a fractured rib, but has been activated from the 60-Day disabled list. Barring a last-second setback, Casas' bat should be back in the Boston lineup Friday night against the Orioles.
Casas was hitting .244 with six homers and 10 RBI over 22 games when he was placed on the IL on April 21. He just completed a rehab assignment for the Worcester Red Sox in Triple-A where he hit .300 (12-for-40) with a .550 slugging percentage and .954 OPS. Casas clubbed seven doubles and drove in seven runs over his 11 games with the WooSox, and hit a towering homer on Tuesday night.
Now he'll look to do the same for the Red Sox, who have lost six of their last eight games to fall 2.5 games behind the Kanas City Royals for the final American League Wild Card spot.
To make room for Casas, Boston has designated veteran first baseman Dom Smith for assignment. Smith had been the primary first baseman since joining the team in early May, making 65 starts at first for Boston. He's given the Red Sox some solid defense and big swings at the plate with six homers and 20 doubles, but he is limited to just first base and designated hitter. Keeping him with Casas back would have limited Alex Cora's flexibility with the roster.
The Red Sox also reinstated Cooper Criswell -- who will start Friday night's game -- from the COVID-19 Injured List and optioned Chase Shugart to Worcester on Friday.
