Minor Notes: Mata ramps up rehab, Whitlock has ligament damage
The Red Sox are winners of two straight coming into play on Tuesday, but the month of May still hasn't treated the club too well. Most notably, a member of Boston's starting rotation could miss the rest of the season. On the minor-league front, Bryan Mata is rehabbing, Zach Penrod is dominating, and Mikey Romero is returning to action. We cover all of that, and much more, in the latest installment of our weekly notes.
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Whitlock diagnosed with ligament damage
Garrett Whitlock (pictured) has ligament damage in his throwing elbow and may require surgery, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters following Monday night's 5-0 win over the Rays. The right-hander will visit an orthopedist in Birmingham, Ala. later this week to confirm the diagnosis and further evaluate his options.
Whitlock, who has been sidelined by a left oblique strain since April 17, first complained of soreness in his right elbow in the days following his rehab start for Worcester last Wednesday. The 27-year-old struck out five over 4 2/3 scoreless innings and felt fine throughout the outing. He was expected to return to Boston's rotation for Monday's series opener against Tampa Bay but it now appears as if the rest of his season is in jeopardy.
Mata to get stretched out on rehab assignment
Perhaps it is a result of Whitlock's prognosis, but the Red Sox have elected to change things up with Bryan Mata's rehab assignment. Instead of being used as a short-stint reliever, the former top pitching prospect will be stretched out in an effort to increase his workload. As such, he is slated to pitch three innings for Portland this coming Thursday.
Mata, 25, began the season on the injured list due to a right hamstring strain. The right-hander began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League last Monday and most recently started for Greenville this past Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over two innings. Because he is out of minor-league options, Mata will need to be added to Boston's major-league roster once his 30-day rehab window expires next month. If that is not possible, he will likely be exposed to waivers.
Romero arrives in Greenville
Though he appeared in three games for Greenville last season, Mikey Romero did not play in the Drive's home ballpark. That changed last Wednesday, when after completing a brief rehab assignment in Fort Myers, Romero made his Fluor Field debut. The 20-year-old tripled in his second at-bat and wound up going 3 for 12 (.250) with two RBIs, one run scored, one walk, and five strikeouts. He started two games at shortstop and one at second base.
Other moves
On Saturday, Tyler Heineman (right hamstring strain) was activated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Worcester. Corey Rosier was also transferred to Worcester's development list. On Friday, Bryce Bonnin was placed on Greenville's 7-day injured list. On Thursday, Theo Denlinger was placed on Portland's 7-day injured list. On Wednesday, Roberto Perez was transferred to Worcester's 60-day injured list while CJ Liu was activated from Portland's 7-day injured list.
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Key links
Rafael Devers became the first player in Red Sox history to hit a home run in six consecutive games when he took Rays starter Taj Bradley deep to left field at Tropicana Field on Monday night. The Boston Globe's Alex Speier broke down the specifics of Devers' streak and got reactions from the likes of Cora and assistant general manager Eddie Romero.
As part of a wild 13-12 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at Polar Park last Thursday, WooSox utility man Nick Sogard homered from both sides of the plate. The switch-hitting 26-year-old accomplished the feat by clubbing the first walk-off home run of his professional career with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. He then talked about what transpired with MassLive.com's Katie Morrison-O'Day.
After striking out 10 over six innings of one-run ball for the second straight start on Saturday, Portland's Zach Penrod was recognized as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 13-19. The 26-year-old lefty now owns a 2.10 ERA with 44 strikeouts to 12 walks in six starts (30 innings) for the Sea Dogs this season.
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Players of the Week for May 13-19
Franklin Arias, 2B/SS, FCL Red Sox
5 G, 15 AB, 7 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 5 R, 4 RBI, 3 SB, 6 BB, .467/.619/.800
The second full week of the 2024 Florida Complex League campaign was a productive one for Arias. The 18-year-old Venezuelan initially got his first season stateside off to a slow start but is now slashing .256/.383/.410 through 11 games (47 plate appearances). He is currently ranked as the No. 22 prospect in the organization.
Trennor O'Donnell, RHP, Salem Red Sox
1 G, 0-0, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
For as solid as Penrod was, O'Donnell is well-desrving of this honor after firing five perfect innings in the first start of his professional career last Thursday. The 22-year-old righty has posted a 0.98 ERA with 23 strikeouts to five walks over 18 1/3 innings for Salem in which he has held opposing hitters to a .134 batting average against. He was selected by Boston in the eighth round of last summer's draft out of Ball State.
Photo Credit: Garrett Whitlock by Kelly O'Connor