Red Sox

Red Sox’ Triston Casas starts rehab assignment after months out with injury

“I’m happy, feeling good enough to come out here and play, and feel good enough to contribute to winning games.”

Worcester, MA 7/30/24 Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas rehab start for the Worcester Red Sox during the playing of the National Anthem before they play the Buffalo Bisons at Polar Park. Matthew J. Lee / Globe Staff

By Sanjana Mishra

July 31, 2024

First baseman Triston Casas began a rehab assignment with Worcester on Tuesday night, with the WooSox winning 11-6 against the Buffalo Bisons at Polar Park.

Casas last played for the Red Sox on April 20, and was placed on the 10-Day Injured List the next day due to a left rib strain. Less than a week later, he was moved to the 60-Day Injured List with a tear in the cartilage between his ribcage and sternum, an injury more commonly seen among football or hockey players.

His doctor “pretty much chalked it up to me being so big, rotating so fast so many times that I pretty much created a car crash within my body, and it was a matter of time before this happened,” Casas told the Boston Globe in April.

The painful injury made everyday tasks difficult for Casas, including breathing, sleeping or even just moving to get out of bed. He still experiences some lingering pain, but says that it’s manageable and only occurs when he swings, not while running, sliding or working out.

As Boston fights for a spot in the playoffs, Casas said he is feeling a lot better. He only started swinging again around three weeks ago and will play first base at Wednesday night’s game.

“It’s been a long time coming, a lot of emotions for sure getting back to this point. So many people pushed me to get here,” Casas told the Boston Globe. “I’m happy, feeling good enough to come out here and play, and feel good enough to contribute to winning games, whether it’s here in Worcester or in Boston.”

The 24-year-old was a finalist for the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year Award, finishing in third place with 25 points. While injured, Casas kept busy, interviewing fellow teammates on NESN and working TikTok coverage for the 2024 Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas.

Last night’s game was the first in a six-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays affiliate team, in which Casas went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Tonight’s play starts at 6:45 p.m. and tomorrow’s at 12:15 p.m. The series will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 4.