2 Red Sox pitchers receive crucial injury updates

It was the kind of encouraging outing that indicates his stuff is coming back to form, though the Red Sox are being cautious and plan to have him make at least one more rehab start before any decision is made to activate him. Sandoval was placed on the 60-day IL on May 4 after his recovery hit an early roadblock, but Boston has penciled in a July return window.

The even better news came from Morán who is looking to be back just around the corner The 15-day IL was placed on June 6 with left elbow inflammation and the left-handed reliever was nothing less than sharp in his second rehab appearance.

Morán cruised through two innings on a very efficient 14 pitches, striking out two batters and not allowing a baserunner. That kind of dominant, low-stress performance was exactly what the Red Sox bullpen brass needed to see, and Boston is said to be eyeing July 1 as his potential return date.

For a Red Sox club that has leaned heavily on its pitching staff throughout the first half of the season, getting two lefties back in the fold, even at staggered intervals, provides a much-needed boost heading into the second half.

With Morán close to returning, the bullpen should stabilize quickly, and Sandoval’s continued development means Boston’s rotation depth will be back to where it needs to be before August.