{"id":664323,"date":"2026-04-05T09:06:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T09:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/664323\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T09:06:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T09:06:18","slug":"connor-wong-appears-to-be-back-in-the-swing-of-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/664323\/","title":{"rendered":"Connor Wong appears to be back in the swing of things"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cLast year, you wish that never happened,\u201d said Wong before Saturday\u2019s 3-2 loss to the Padres<\/a>. \u201cThere were times last year where I was just like, \u2018Dude, what is going on?\u2019 You don\u2019t feel like yourself. You struggle with that. It was a dark place at times.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the season, Wong \u2014 with input from Alex Bregman, who had a carpal boss removed earlier in his career \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

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He is 5 for 10 with three doubles, driving the ball to left-center with renewed authority. While it\u2019s early, Wong has taken considerable encouragement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat guy [who had a breakout year in 2024] is still in there,\u201d said Wong. \u201cObviously the results are better [in 2026]. The confidence is better just being able to take the swings I want to take. \u2026 It feels good. Now let\u2019s just keep it going.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s eager for the juice of competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI flip a switch when I\u2019m in a game, and I kind of black out. I don\u2019t think about anything other than competing,\u201d said Sandoval. \u201cIt\u2019s been so long [since feeling that]. It will be really nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sandoval said he touched 95 miles per hour in his final tuneups in minor league backfields games in Fort Myers, Fla. He\u2019s still working to reestablish command of his fastball and curveball, but said his slider and changeup are \u201cin really good spots. I can go to those at any time.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for the duration of his rehab assignment?<\/p>\n

\u201cNo idea,\u201d said Sandoval. \u201cIf it was up to me, it\u2019d be one outing and I\u2019d be back. That\u2019s probably not how it\u2019s going to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2026 Righthander Kutter Crawford, working back from last season\u2019s 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 \u2026 First baseman Triston Casas, days after a scare from discomfort in his left ribs, will resume swinging Monday.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s comfort in left at Fenway and a need for Anthony to sharpen his defense. \u201cThere\u2019s a few things that we have to be better \u2026 defensively, and the kid [Anthony] knows it,\u201d said Cora, citing a need for improved footwork on Anthony\u2019s throws. \u201cWe have to improve. It\u2019s not only him, it\u2019s everybody.\u201d Anthony finished the game in left and made a ninth-inning throwing error \u2026 The White Sox returned righthander Jedixson Paez, a Rule 5 selection who made Chicago\u2019s 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\u2019t strike out a batter, resulting in Chicago\u2019s 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\u2019s rotation \u2026 Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of Trevor Story\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n

Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @alexspeier<\/a>.<\/p>\n