BOSTON — What began as a dominant night for the Boston Red Sox ended with a tinge of concern, as veteran third baseman Alex Bregman left Tuesday’s 11-2 rout of the Baltimore Orioles with a right quad injury.
Bregman, who has been a steady presence in the middle of Boston’s lineup this season, appeared to tweak something while legging out a double in the fifth inning. Though he remained on base for the rest of the frame, he did not return for the sixth, with utility infielder Pablo Reyes taking over at third base.
Manager Alex Cora confirmed after the game that Bregman was dealing with tightness in his right quadriceps and was removed as a precaution.
“We didn’t want to push it,” Cora said. “It’s early in the season still, and with the way the game was going, we felt it was best to be cautious. He’ll be evaluated further tomorrow.”
Before exiting, Bregman had gone 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, contributing to a Red Sox offense that exploded for 14 hits and capitalized on a shaky Orioles bullpen. The win extended Boston’s home winning streak to five games and gave them a boost in the AL East standings.
Bregman, 30, joined the Red Sox in the offseason after spending his entire career with the Houston Astros, where he was a two-time All-Star and World Series champion. His veteran leadership and strong glove at the hot corner have been a welcome addition to a Boston club looking to return to postseason contention.
The team has not yet released a timetable for Bregman’s return, but the initial diagnosis is encouraging. He’s expected to undergo imaging and further testing on Wednesday, and the Red Sox will likely update his status before the next game of the series.
“It’s always tough to see a guy like Alex come out, especially when he’s been playing so well,” said teammate Rafael Devers. “But we’ve got his back, and hopefully it’s nothing serious.”
For now, the Red Sox will hope the injury proves minor and that Bregman’s exit was simply a case of being smart rather than sorry. With the season still in its early stages, Boston can’t afford to lose one of its cornerstone players—but they’re also not taking any chances.
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