The Boston Red Sox are near getting an important right-handed bat again within the lineup.
Infielder Romy Gonzalez, who has missed the primary two months of the season recovering from surgical procedure on his non-throwing shoulder, is taking a giant step towards a return through the weekend homestand. According to Christopher Smith of MassLive, Gonzalez is taking swings towards tender toss throws within the batting cages.
Advertisement
This marks the primary reported time that the 29-year-old infielder has taken swings within the cage since his arthroscopic debridement process on his left shoulder in early March. The authentic timeline for Gonzalez was set at 2-3 months, which he seems to be on monitor for as optimistic updates proceed to roll in.
“It’s good that he’s swinging,” supervisor Chad Tracy informed reporters on Saturday. “The incontrovertible fact that he’s acquired a bat in his hand and he’s swinging at a ball that’s coming at him, even when it’s only a flip, is sweet information for us.”
Advertisement
Gonzalez’s harm initially occurred through the Red Sox’s collection towards the Tampa Bay Rays in late September. He performed by way of the ache however was clearly impacted by it through the postseason when he was simply 1-for-9 within the Wild Card Series towards the New York Yankees. He obtained a PRP injection earlier than spring coaching however in the end decided that it would not be sufficient.
While the surgical procedure got here at an unlucky time proper earlier than the season, it was not seen because the worst-case situation for his nagging shoulder harm, and he was in a position to keep away from a full restore that might have dominated him out for the season. Still, the “cleanup” procedure sent him to the 60-day IL and hamstrung a Red Sox lineup that sorely misses his right-handed power.
Gonzalez was a pleasant surprise for Boston last season, batting .305 with an .826 OPS with nine home runs and 53 RBI. The veteran infielder was the team’s best hitter against lefties, batting .331 with a .978 OPS in 130 at-bats against left-handed pitching. His platoon prowess alongside outfielder Rob Refsynder (.959 against lefties) was a huge part of the club’s identity during a strong summer that catapulted them into the postseason.
Advertisement
Without Gonzalez, the Red Sox have leaned on right-handed hitting infielders Andruw Monasterio (.697 OPS) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.590 OPS) when going through lefties, who’ve been much less efficient in restricted motion. Now with shortstop Trevor Story set to miss significant time following sports activities hernia surgical procedure, Gonzalez’s return feels much more necessary for Boston’s infield equation.
Marcelo Mayer is predicted to make his season debut at shortstop on Sunday, however it stays unclear how Tracy will handle the place transferring ahead. Before Story’s harm, the left-handed hitting Mayer gave the impression to be the proper platoon companion for Gonzalez. Now, we might see each infielders within the lineup collectively on a daily foundation as double-play companions as a substitute.
Advertisement
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on May 23, 2026, the place it first appeared within the MLB part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.