Red Sox News: Duvall loss a ‘big blow,’ Dalbec’s callup, Whitlock’s debut

The Boston Red Sox were looking for a bargain this offseason and to start the 2023 MLB season, veteran outfielder Adam Duvall looked like that guy.  Leading the league in OPS, Duvall was one of the players carrying the offense until Sunday happened.

During the team’s 4-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, the 34-year-old outfielder injured his wrist while fielding a fly ball in the outfield.  He immediately left the game and all Red Sox Nation was hoping for a sprained wrist at best.

Red Sox get the worst possible news on Adam Duvall

Unfortunately, it ended up being the worst-case scenario as an MRI revealed a fractured left wrist.  On Monday, the team announced Duvall was placed on the injured list for a timetable for his return is about six-to-eight weeks according to reports.  Talk about bad luck for the team and for a player who has been injury prone over the past few seasons.

"“The guy’s a good player,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, via The Associated Press.  “It’s a big blow.  But at the same time, somebody has to step up.  At one point, we hope he comes back.”"

Duvall had surgery on the same left wrist last summer, but to repair a torn tendon.  According to MLB.com, the Boston  veteran won’t need surgery for the fracture.  With Duvall going on the injured list, the Red Sox recalled Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Worchester.

As far as replacing Duvall in the outfield, Boston has several options defensively, but on the on the offensive side, it will be hard to replace the torrid pace he was on.  Adam Duvall was hitting .455 with four homers and 14 RBIs in his first 9 games as a member of the Sox.

Big blow is an understatement.

Red Sox callup: bobby Dalbec gets another chance

Well, that didn’t take long.

Due to the injury to Duvall, the Boston Red Sox called up infielder Bobby Dalbec prior to the team’s series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Once a promising prospect for the Sox, Dalbec has struggled at the plate and in the field for the Red Sox the last couple of seasons, but still shows signs of the player he can be…especially at the plate.

After a strong Spring Training, Dalbec was hitting .261 in 10 games with Triple-A Worcester before the call up.  The move allows the Red Sox to shift Kike Hernandez back to the outfield as Dalbec will perhaps play some shortstop.

While the Red Sox will be relying on a few players to step up to fill the void, there is some hope Dalbec can be that player at the plate who launched 25 homers back in 2021.  He should get a few plate appearances to prove he belongs with the big club.

Red Sox on the mound: Garrett Whitlock to debut vs Rays

After a shaky start to the season, the Boston Red Sox starting rotation has found their footing a bit.

Following strong starts from Chris Sale, Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Nick Pivetta, the Red Sox get a jolt with the return of Garrett Whitlock who is set to make his season debut in the starting rotation against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.

Whitlock, who has been rehabbing after he underwent right hip surgery last September, pitched six strong innings in a rehab start at Double-A Portland.  In those six innings pitched, he allowed just one run while striking out 8.

Making the shift from the bullpen to the starting rotation, the Sox are hoping Whitlock emerges as reliable starter at the top of the rotation.  We will see as Whitlock steps on the mound for the first time in 2023.