“Last year, you wish that never happened,” said Wong before Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Padres. “There were times last year where I was just like, ‘Dude, what is going on?’ You don’t feel like yourself. You struggle with that. It was a dark place at times.”

After the season, Wong — with input from Alex Bregman, who had a carpal boss removed earlier in his career — had surgery to remove his. Between the chance for his left pinkie/wrist to fully recover and the improved freedom in his right hand/wrist, Wong has been a different hitter this year.

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He is 5 for 10 with three doubles, driving the ball to left-center with renewed authority. While it’s early, Wong has taken considerable encouragement.

“That guy [who had a breakout year in 2024] is still in there,” said Wong. “Obviously the results are better [in 2026]. The confidence is better just being able to take the swings I want to take. … It feels good. Now let’s just keep it going.”

On Sunday, lefthander Patrick Sandoval will make his first official appearance in a game in more than 21 months. The veteran will begin a rehab assignment with a start for Double-A Portland in New Jersey, his first game action (aside from minor league backfields) since elbow surgery in July 2024. He’s eager for the juice of competition.

“I flip a switch when I’m in a game, and I kind of black out. I don’t think about anything other than competing,” said Sandoval. “It’s been so long [since feeling that]. It will be really nice.”

Sandoval said he touched 95 miles per hour in his final tuneups in minor league backfields games in Fort Myers, Fla. He’s still working to reestablish command of his fastball and curveball, but said his slider and changeup are “in really good spots. I can go to those at any time.”

As for the duration of his rehab assignment?

“No idea,” said Sandoval. “If it was up to me, it’d be one outing and I’d be back. That’s probably not how it’s going to go.”

Righthander Johan Oviedo is scheduled to fly to Texas to visit Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday for the right elbow strain that landed him on the injured list on Friday … Righthander Kutter Crawford, working back from last season’s right wrist surgery, will pitch a simulated game at Fenway Park on Sunday, ahead of a minors rehab assignment. Both Crawford and Sandoval will be stretched out as starters … First baseman Triston Casas, days after a scare from discomfort in his left ribs, will resume swinging Monday.

Roman Anthony served as DH on Saturday for a second straight game, with Jarren Duran in left field. Manager Alex Cora said the alignment reflected Duran’s comfort in left at Fenway and a need for Anthony to sharpen his defense. “There’s a few things that we have to be better … defensively, and the kid [Anthony] knows it,” said Cora, citing a need for improved footwork on Anthony’s throws. “We have to improve. It’s not only him, it’s everybody.” Anthony finished the game in left and made a ninth-inning throwing error … The White Sox returned righthander Jedixson Paez, a Rule 5 selection who made Chicago’s Opening Day roster, to the Red Sox. The 22-year-old, who has demonstrated elite command in the minors but lacks power stuff, allowed six runs in three innings over three big league appearances and didn’t strike out a batter, resulting in Chicago’s decision to designate him for assignment. He cleared waivers, allowing the Red Sox to bring him back into their system for $50,000. Paez is likely to join Double-A Portland’s rotation … Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of Trevor Story’s historic big league debut with the Rockies. On April 4, 2016, he became the first big leaguer to homer twice on Opening Day in the first game of his career.

Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com. Follow him @alexspeier.