The Boston Red Sox sustained an injury to a projected member of the 26-man roster this week.
Yesterday it was revealed that catcher Connor Wong sustained a left hamstring injury. That ailment has since been ruled a Grade 1 strain -- the best-case scenario, which is considered a "mild muscle pull or strain."
Wong gave an encouraging update Friday.
"Connor Wong said (he) pulled (the) same left hamstring in 2021," WEEI's Rob Bradford tweeted Wednesday. "Noted that one was worse and (he) played through it."
While it sounds like Wong won't need a stint on the injury list -- barring any setbacks -- it does inflate the chances of Jorge Alfaro making the roster.
Alfaro provides value on the bench regardless of injury as he can be a third catcher, reserve first baseman and designated hitter. That said, he'd be close to a roster lock if Wong's injury is worse than initially thought.
The 29-year-old hit .246 with 21 extra-base hits including seven home runs, 40 RBIs and a .667 OPS in 82 games for the San Diego Padres last season.
Wong and Alfaro will battle for the right-handed platoon role alongside fellow backstop Reese McGuire.
As it stands now, Wong is sidelined and Alfaro is a week away from leaving for the World Baseball Classic. There's still time for someone to step up before Opening Day.
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