WORCESTER — The Triple-A season ends Sunday, a week before the major league season concludes. That doesn’t mean, however, that the work is done for the Red Sox’ top depth options down the stretch.
Unlike years ago, when big league rosters expanded to 40 players in September, the Red Sox won’t have a mass call-up from Worcester in the final week. The Sox also won’t be able to take any members of the WooSox roster on a “taxi squad” in Boston to have them ready if an injury occurs on the big league club. Instead, on Monday, the club will fly its “stay-ready group” of Triple-A players to its spring training complex in Fort Myers. At Fenway South, they will continue working out in case a need arises in Boston.
“We’ll have a group of guys that go down to Florida when we’re done as the “stay ready” group,“ said WooSox manager Chad Tracy. ”Obviously, there’s still a week of the big league season left and then playoffs.”
Neither Tracy nor Red Sox farm director Brian Abraham were able to confirm the full list of WooSox players who will travel to Florida after Worcester’s final series against Rochester concludes Sunday, but the group is expected to include all (or very close to all) of Boston’s 40-man roster players who are currently in Triple-A as well as, potentially, a couple others. The list will include Kristian Campbell and Jhostynxon Garcia, as well as pitchers Isaiah Campbell, Cooper Criswell, Jovani Morán, Luis Perales and Luis Guerrero. Teams are permitted to have all of their 40-man players with them for any postseason games, but the awkward gap between the end of the Triple-A season and the end of the MLB schedule results in the need for contingency plans like the one that will play out in Fort Myers.
“Mostly, you’re dealing with all the guys that are on the 40-man here, pitchers and hitters that are going to just go down there and be able to get reps and stay ready,” said Tracy. “If you’re on the 40-man roster, you’re receptive to that and know you’re still a part of potentially helping up there.”
Campbell, who made the Opening Day roster and won American League Rookie of the Month for March in April, is an obvious depth option, as is Garcia, the exciting outfield prospect who received nine major league plate appearances during a short cup of coffee after debuting in late August. The Red Sox will also have another player available in Fort Myers depending on who gets sent down when Wilyer Abreu is activated from the injured list over the weekend. Garcia is also dealing with a minor right shoulder injury and was out of Worcester’s lineup Friday night. He’s day-to-day and may appear in one of Worcester’s final two games over the weekend, potentially as the designated hitter.
“Yesterday, did not feel great. Made a huge jump today,” said Tracy. “Optimistic maybe we can get him in a game before (the end of) the weekend. Not a guarantee, but he has made a big jump between yesterday and today.”
Three of Boston’s depth pitchers are also rehabbing as well, with Criswell on the Triple-A IL due to elbow inflammation, Guerrero on a major league rehab assignment after being placed on the big league IL with an elbow strain in late June and Perales returning from Tommy John surgery. All three are at different points.
Criswell, who last pitched for the WooSox on August 14, likely would have been called up to join the big league rotation in September when it was decimated due to injuries. Instead, he has been dealing with a minor ailment of his own that has kept him unavailable. Criswell, whose elbow injury is being attributed to fatigue, has had stops and starts in his attempt to return.
“Threw a (bullpen session) in Syracuse (last week), a pretty aggressive side and was good, but had some residual soreness so we’ve backed off just a little bit,” said Tracy. He’s still in a good spot. He’ll be part of that group as he continues to progress and hopefully, be able to get back on the mound and help.”
Guerrero will pitch Friday and Sunday for the WooSox, making his eighth and ninth rehab appearances since beginning an assignment at Portland on September 2. Perales, one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, will make another appearance Sunday after striking out the side in his WooSox debut Wednesday. He’s a long shot to help the big league team this year after a long recovery road dating back to last summer.
In Fort Myers, Perales will continue building up for the Arizona Fall League, which begins October 6.
“His is to be there for (depth), but also he’s preparing to pitch innings in the Fall League, so he’ll be there as well,” Tracy said.
Tracy plans to return to his Ohio home after Sunday’s series finale and watch the rest of the Red Sox’ season as a fan.
“I’m going to sit on my blue chair in the family room and put every game on and watch,” he said. “If it’s at night, I’ll probably pour a drink and I’ll be locked in. I can’t wait to that. I’m really excited to get home and watch the rest of the season, and God-willing, be able to tune into a playoff game.”