Only five games into the new season, the Boston Red Sox have already hit the bottom of the AL East standings, with a 1-4 record. This year, the Red Sox were looking forward to the return of their .800 career OPS slugger. With his recovery reportedly on track, the first baseman was expected to return this season, but the latest update from Alex Cora brings ominous news.

Triston Casas was on the road to recovery from his left patellar tendon rupture in May 2025. The injury cut his last season short to only 29 games. Casas was ten months into his approximately 1-year recovery time when this latest setback came. The Red Sox manager, Cora, has reportedly announced that Casas is currently suffering from sore ribs, which will further delay his progress.

“Alex Cora tells the media that Triston Casas had a setback in the form of sore ribs, per @timbhealey. He’ll be shut down for a while. Wonder how much it relates to the 2024 injury,” wrote Tyler Milliken on X.

The last time Casas played a full season was in 2023. At the time, he batted .263 with 24 homers and 65 RBI in 132 games, posting a .857 OPS.

The 26-year-old has suffered from a rib injury earlier as well. In 2024, he was limited to 63 games owing to a torn cartilage between his ribs and sternum. He suffered from the injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in April 2024, which initially placed him on the 10-day IL. But he ultimately made his return in August that year.

However, it is unclear whether his latest issue, i.e., the sore ribs, is in any way related to Casas’ previous rib injury.

Casas has been on the recovery for quite some time, and as Tim Healey of the Boston Globe reported, he would be shut down for a while longer.

Providing a positive update on the knee injury, Cora had reportedly noted that Casas was able to practice sliding near the end of Spring Training. But he did not provide a timeline for his return, stating that minor league games are not “imminent” for him at the moment. But that positive momentum has since been halted by this new setback.

Casas has a career slash line of .241/.348/.452 in 251 games with 45 home runs and 120 RBI. He served as the primary first baseman of the Red Sox. But currently, Willson Contreras has taken over his role at first base. The Red Sox had acquired Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals in December 2025.

While Casas’ latest setback is a disappointment for the Red Sox, one of their veteran starters on the IL has shown progress.

Patrick Sandoval is ready for rehab

Patrick Sandoval is recovering from an internal brace surgery that he underwent in 2024. The Red Sox had signed Sandoval in December 2024 on a two-year, $18.25 million contract that runs through the 2026 season.

Boston would be looking towards his return this season as he missed the entire last season due to his recovery.

The day before Opening Day, the Red Sox had placed Sandoval on the 15-day IL. Now, as per Tim Healey on X, Sandoval will begin his rehab assignment on Sunday for the Double-A Portland.

“Patrick Sandoval will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Sunday, the Red Sox said,” wrote Healey.

Sandoval has posted a career ERA of 4.01 in 107 games across 536 innings. Once he returns, the Red Sox will have to figure out his place in the rotation.

Along with Sandoval, starter Kutter Crawford was also on the 15-day injured list. The right-hander is recovering from surgery on his wrist that he underwent in July. Crawford and Sandoval threw simulated games in Fort Myers on Monday.

While Sandoval will start his rehab, Cora reportedly said that Crawford might begin his rehab later this month. For now, he will have a deload week. Boston can option Crawford to Triple-A if he does not have an immediate roster spot following his return.