Red Sox Slugger Justin Turner Battles Through Bone Bruise, DH Only
Boston Red Sox slugger Justin Turner is determined to continue playing despite dealing with a bone bruise in his left heel. However, this means he won’t be able to take the field for the time being and will solely serve as the team’s designated hitter. Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated that playing in the field is off the table for a while due to Turner’s condition. As long as Turner is healthy and capable of hitting, he will DH. Otherwise, the team will have to make adjustments.
Turner initially suffered the injury on July 31 in Seattle, which caused him to miss seven out of ten games at the beginning of the month. Despite doctors recommending 4-6 weeks of rest, Turner has decided to push through the pain and play through the rest of the season. Cora mentioned that they will assess Turner’s condition on a daily basis and give him a day off if necessary. However, given the team’s current situation, they don’t have the luxury of providing too much time off for Turner.
In August, Turner struggled during a three-game stint after his return but managed to bounce back with two home runs against the Tigers over the weekend. Although he feels comfortable enough to swing at the plate, his injury poses limitations for the Red Sox, particularly in terms of positioning. Turner had made 21 starts at first base, four starts at second base, and served as Rafael Devers’ backup at third base before his injured heel.
With Turner out of the equation, the Red Sox will need to find creative solutions to address their infield depth. Luis UrÃas and Pablo Reyes will split time at second base and can also serve as backup options at shortstop. UrÃas is capable of backing up Devers at third base, as he started in that position recently. Reyes, despite having little experience playing first base, will serve as the backup option if Triston Casas is rested. Reyes has mainly played as a shortstop this season for the Red Sox, with some appearances at second base and third base, and even pitching twice.
If Turner is still unable to play in the field by the time rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on September 1, Bobby Dalbec is a likely candidate to be called up to the major leagues. Dalbec has played 10 games in the majors this season and has been performing well at Triple-A, hitting .286 with 30 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a 1.001 OPS.
Overall, Turner’s bone bruise presents a challenge for the Red Sox, as they now have to adjust their lineup and find solutions for their infield depth. While Turner remains committed to playing through the pain, the team will continue to monitor his condition and make necessary adjustments to ensure his well-being.
