{"id":801342,"date":"2026-09-10T09:57:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T09:57:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/801342\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T09:57:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T09:57:19","slug":"red-sox-announce-willson-contreras-decision-before-royals-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/801342\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Announce Willson Contreras Decision Before Royals Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 9: Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox heads to the dugout after flying out during the eighth inning against the Athletics at Fenway Park on August 9, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Boston Red Sox<\/a> have dealt with plenty of injuries this season. One of the more notable ones is Willson Contreras<\/a>. The slugger last played Aug. 30 against the New York Yankees<\/a> before landing on the injured list Aug. 31 with a strained left hamstring. It had bothered him for more than a month.<\/p>\n

Contreras has been one of the better offensive players in the American League this season. He\u2019s hitting .274 with a career-high 26 home runs and 79 RBIs in his first year in Boston<\/a> after arriving via trade from the St. Louis Cardinals<\/a>. With October approaching, getting him back matters as much as any injury update Boston has received all year.<\/p>\n

Contreras\u2019 Rehab Plan Takes Shape<\/p>\n

\n\"BostonGettyWillson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox.\n<\/p>\n

Contreras will join Double-A Portland for a rehab assignment Friday, according to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe,<\/a> and is expected to play one or two games before rejoining the Red Sox.<\/p>\n

Interim manager Chad Tracy<\/a> addressed the plan before Wednesday\u2019s series finale against the Los Angeles Angels<\/a>, which Boston dropped 6-4.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to play at least Friday and we\u2019ll check in with him after that,\u201d Tracy said, per the Associated Press.<\/a> \u201cHe just wants to get on his feet. He\u2019s been down for a while; just to get on his feet and, actually, see some pitching, move around at first, maybe get on base.\u201d<\/p>\n

A video that surfaced on social media this week showing Contreras running the bases offered an encouraging visual sign, even if it doesn\u2019t guarantee anything on its own.<\/a><\/p>\n

Willson Contreras will join Portland for a rehab assignment on Friday, Chad Tracy told the media. <\/p>\n

He\u2019ll likely play 1-2 games before returning.<\/p>\n

(via @timbhealey<\/a>) <\/p>\n

Other Injury Notes From Boston<\/p>\n

\n\"AdleyGettyAdley Rutschman of the Boston Red Sox.\n<\/p>\n

Contreras wasn\u2019t the only update out of Boston this week. Catcher Adley Rutschman<\/a> received a cortisone shot on his troublesome right elbow after homering in Monday\u2019s series opener against the Angels. He\u2019s sat out the last two games as a result. Tracy downplayed the injection as routine rather than a sign of a new problem. Rutschman is expected back Friday when Boston opens a home series against the Kansas City Royals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tracy also gave an update on Garrett Crochet<\/a>, who felt fine a day after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session. Crochet has been out since April 26 with shoulder inflammation. The plan is for him to throw another bullpen Friday as Boston continues building him up for a potential postseason role.<\/p>\n

Final Word for the Red Sox<\/p>\n

Boston sits in a strong spot for the second AL wild card, and getting healthy at this stage of the season only strengthens that standing. Between Contreras\u2019 rehab assignment, Rutschman\u2019s expected return, and Crochet continuing to progress, the Red Sox are trending in the right direction heading into the stretch run.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tKeith Watkins<\/a> Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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