Red Sox Receive Positive Update on Injured Infielder

This marks the first reported time that the 29-year-old infielder has taken swings in the cage since his arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left shoulder in early March. The original timeline for Gonzalez was set at 2-3 months, which he appears to be on track for as positive updates continue to roll in.

“It’s good that he’s swinging,” manager Chad Tracy told reporters on Saturday. "The fact that he’s got a bat in his hand and he’s swinging at a ball that’s coming at him, even if it’s just a flip, is good news for us.”

Gonzalez's injury originally occurred during the Red Sox's series against the Tampa Bay Rays in late September. He played through the pain but was clearly impacted by it during the postseason when he was just 1-for-9 in the Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees. He received a PRP injection before spring training but ultimately determined that it wouldn't be enough.

While the surgery came at an unfortunate time right before the season, it was not viewed as the worst-case scenario for his nagging shoulder injury, and he was able to avoid a full repair that could have ruled 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.

Without Gonzalez, the Red Sox have leaned on right-handed hitting infielders Andruw Monasterio (.697 OPS) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.590 OPS) when facing lefties, who have been less effective in limited action. Now with shortstop Trevor Story set to miss significant time following sports hernia surgery, Gonzalez's return feels even more important for Boston's infield equation.

Marcelo Mayer is expected to make his season debut at shortstop on Sunday, but it remains unclear how Tracy will manage the position moving forward. Before Story's injury, the left-handed hitting Mayer appeared to be the perfect platoon partner for Gonzalez. Now, we could see both infielders in the lineup together on a regular basis as double-play partners instead.