The Boston Red Sox were already dealing with an injury epidemic entering Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
Now, two of their better players could be headed to the injured list after leaving the game — which the Sox lost, 10-7 in 11 innings.
All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers suffered a knee injury in the top of the seventh inning after making a play in the field, while pitcher Garrett Whitlock had his start curtailed to four innings and 56 pitches because of left oblique tightness.
Both come as unwelcome blows to a Boston team that had gotten off to a strong start but fell to 9-9 with the loss — fifth among five teams in a competitive American League East.
Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
Any progress the Sox make climbing out of their early-season hole will have to come without several of their better players. Shortstop Trevor Story had season-ending shoulder surgery as the team returned to Fenway Park. Pitcher Nick Pivetta is dealing with a flexor strain.
As for Devers, he told reporters after Tuesday’s game “I felt it on the ground ball when I threw to second base for the [attempted] double play. Felt it there and after that, I couldn’t step on my [left] leg. I don’t know what to think about it right now. This is totally new. I’ve never had any issues with my legs. So that happened today. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Whitlock was removed for precautionary reasons, suggesting his injury might not be a long-term concern. He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
Devers was off to a slow start through his first 12 games of the season, batting .205 with two home runs and five RBIs. The two-time All-Star had enjoyed a relatively healthy seven seasons entering 2024, thrice going on the injured list with hamstring strains but never a knee ailment. However, a sore shoulder sidelined him for four games earlier this season.
Devers recently was on the giving end of a collision in the field with Tyler O’Neill. The outfielder on the receiving end needed eight stitches to close his wound.
Whitlock was one of several bright spots on the surprising Sox pitching staff, going 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA through his first four games of the season. Last year the right-hander was 5-5 with a 5.15 ERA in 22 games (10 starts).
Infielders Rob Refsnyder and Vaughn Grissom are both on rehab assignments already, further adding to the Red Sox’s injury woes.
Boston hosts Cleveland on Wednesday and Thursday before traveling to Pittsburgh for three games against the surprising Pirates this weekend.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.