In an unfortunate turn of events for the Boston Red Sox, outfielder Wilyer Abreu has been placed on the injured list (IL) after spraining his right ankle on the dugout steps. The injury occurred during the seventh or eighth inning of a recent game, and the 24-year-old outfielder is now sidelined as the team assesses the extent of the damage.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora broke the news during his Tuesday appearance on WEEI’s “Jones & Mego with Arcand” program. “We’ve got bad news, actually. Willy (Abreu) going to the IL,” Cora said. “Ankle sprain, the right one. Everyone saw what happened in the dugout in the seventh or eighth inning. He had an MRI yesterday and he’s going to see a specialist now so we’ll know how bad it is.” The move to the IL is retroactive to Monday.
Abreu, who has been a solid contributor for the Red Sox this season, is batting .272 with 14 doubles, six home runs, 22 RBIs, a .344 on-base percentage, and a .485 slugging percentage over 53 games. His absence will be felt as the Red Sox navigate through a critical part of their schedule.
In response to Abreu’s injury, the Red Sox have made a series of roster adjustments. Bobby Dalbec is expected to take over as the starting right fielder for the game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night. Additionally, the team has recalled catcher Tyler Heineman from Triple-A Worcester. Heineman, 32, has had limited action with Boston, playing in just one game and going 0-for-1. This season, he has batted .239 (17-for-71) across Boston’s Triple-A and Double-A affiliates.
The injury to Abreu is a significant blow to the Red Sox, who are counting on their depth and resilience to stay competitive. Fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a swift recovery for Abreu, whose performance has been a bright spot in the team’s lineup.
As the Red Sox await further details on Abreu’s condition, the team will need to rely on their bench players and minor league call-ups to fill the gap. The next few weeks will be crucial for the team as they look to maintain their momentum and make a push in the standings.