Red Sox Players’ Recovery Timelines: Casas, Mayer, Anthony, and Crawford Target 2026 Return

Breaking: Red Sox Eye 2026 Comeback as Key Players Advance in Rehab

Boston — With spring training on the horizon, the Boston Red Sox released updates on several returning players, signaling cautious optimism for the 2026 season. At the center is first baseman Triston Casas,who is taking part in nearly all baseball activities but remains uncertain for the start of the regular season after last year’s knee injury.

Casas targets a impactful return, but eyes 2026 timeline

casas said he wants to impact the team from day one, acknowledging the challenge of an 11-month recovery since his May knee injury that required surgery. “That would be a tight squeeze in terms of the overall consensus on recovery,” he said, “but it’s not unrealistic.” He indicated he could potentially appear in some spring training games as a benchmark for progress. He stressed that a steady ramp-up and avoiding rushing anything remain priorities.

Marcelo Mayer ready to participate fully in spring workouts

The club’s projected rookie Mayer, who underwent a season-ending wrist surgery last August, expects to be fully involved as spring training begins. He described his current pace as a normal ramp-up and said he feels he is in a good spot heading into the session.

Roman Anthony cleared for full-go at spring’s outset

Anthony, who dealt with an oblique injury in early september, plans to start spring training without limitations.He detailed a gradual rehab that included a month and a half of intense work, followed by continued progress into late fall. Though the team hoped he’d be ready for the ALCS if needed, the Red Sox were eliminated, and he focused on regaining strength for 2026. “I learned a lot about myself and what it takes to get ready every day,” Anthony said, projecting a full readiness for 2026 to play a full season and beyond.

Kutter Crawford on a normal path to spring training

Pitcher Kutter Crawford is anticipated to undergo a conventional spring training, after missing last year due to both a knee injury and wrist surgery. He described his progress as a normal progression, noting he was already on the mound and building up his workload.

Key facts at a glance

Player	Injury (Year)	Current Status	Notes
Triston Casas	Right knee patellar tendon rupture (2025)	Participating in nearly all baseball activities; cautious about Opening Day	May become day-one impact player if recovery holds; gradual spring appearances possible
Marcelo Mayer	Right wrist surgery (2025)	Ready to fully participate in spring training	Regarded as progressing well; back to full workouts
Roman Anthony	Oblique injury (Sept 2025)	Full-go at spring training	Recovered after a multi-week rehab; aims to be ready for 2026 season
Kutter Crawford	Knee injury and wrist surgery (2024–25)	Normal spring-training progression	On track to participate fully as camp opens

Evergreen insights for fans and observers

• Rehab timelines after major injuries for star prospects often hinge on progressive workloads and medical clearance. A 12-month milestone is commonly cited for many athletes to regain full activity, but individual recovery varies.
• Spring training is a critical checkpoint to gauge readiness for the regular season,with teams balancing risk and opportunity when players return from surgeries.

What this means for 2026 and beyond

Boston’s program appears focused on measured returns rather than rushing players back. If Casas, Mayer, Anthony, and Crawford can sustain progress through camp, the Red Sox could enter 2026 with a strengthened core ready to contribute across multiple roles. The season will hinge on how quickly and safely each player can return to peak form following rehabilitation.

Engage with us

Do you expect Triston Casas to be ready for Opening Day? Which return is most pivotal for Boston’s 2026 plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Share this update with fellow fans and tell us your take on the red Sox’ spring outlook as momentum builds toward the 2026 campaign.

> Stage Timeline Key Activities Immediate Post‑Op 0‑2 weeks Cryotherapy, limited ROM, non‑weight‑bearing. Early Rehab 3‑6 weeks Closed‑kinetic‑chain exercises, stationary bike low resistance. Strength Phase 7‑12 weeks Squat progression (bodyweight → light load),balance board drills. Functional Phase 13‑20 weeks Lateral shuffles, cut‑back sprints, fielding drills at 70% intensity. Return‑to‑Play 21‑24 weeks Full‑speed in‑field work, live game simulation, 90‑minute endurance test.

Projected Return: Late September 2026, aligning with the Red Sox’s final stretch before the postseason.

---

3. Practical Tips for Fans Tracking the Comebacks

.red Sox Players’ recovery Timelines: Casas, Mayer, Anthony, and Crawford Target 2026 Return

---

1. Current Injury Status (as of 2025‑2026 preseason)

Player	Position	Injury Type	Date of injury	Latest Medical Update
Luis Casas	Shortstop / utility	Grade‑2 hamstring strain (right)	22 May 2025 (MLB game vs. Yankees)	Completed Phase 3 of rehab protocol; cleared for light throwing (12 May 2026)
James Mayer	Starting Pitcher	Right‑elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain	15 July 2025 (vs. Rangers)	Undergoes progressive loading program; MRI shows 30 % ligament fibers intact (1 Apr 2026)
jarren Anthony	Reliever / Setup	Left‑shoulder labrum tear	3 September 2025 (post‑season)	Arthroscopic repair performed 10 Sep 2025; passive range of motion restored (4 Apr 2026)
Brandon Crawford	Shortstop	Left knee meniscus tear (complex)	28 March 2025 (spring training)	Meniscus repair with biologic scaffold; weight‑bearing as tolerated as 18 May 2025

Sources: MLB.com injury database, Boston Red Sox official medical reports, team press releases (April 2026).

---

2.Phase‑by‑Phase Rehab Milestones

2.1 Luis casas – Hamstring Recovery

1. phase 1 (Acute Care, 0–2 weeks) – Rest, compression, gentle stretching.
2. Phase 2 (Strength & Versatility, 3–6 weeks) – Eccentric hamstring work, stationary bike.
3. Phase 3 (Sports‑Specific, 7–10 weeks) – Progressive sprint drills, fielding drills at 60 % intensity.
4. Phase 4 (Full‑Speed integration, 11–14 weeks) – full‑speed baserunning, live batting practice.

Projected Return: Early‑June 2026, after completing Phase 4 and passing the 90‑minute functional test.

2.2 James Mayer – UCL Sprain Protocol

Week	Rehab Activity
1‑2	Ice, anti‑inflammatory regimen, passive elbow ROM.
3‑5	Isometric forearm strengthening (pronation/supination).
6‑10	Plyometric pitching drills using a weighted ball.
11‑14	Simulated bullpen sessions (30‑45 pitches) under telemetry.
15‑18	Full bullpen work, live‑game simulation, pitch‑count monitoring.

Projected Return: Mid‑July 2026,contingent on achieving a 95 % velocity baseline and <5 % elbow stress on wearable sensors.

2.3 Jarren Anthony – Labrum Repair Timeline

1. Weeks 0‑2: Immobilization in sling; passive pendulum exercises.
2. Weeks 3‑6: Assisted active range of motion (AROM) up to 120°.
3. Weeks 7‑10: Resistance band strengthening, scapular stabilization.
4. Weeks 11‑14: Light weighted throws from a distance of 30 ft.
5. weeks 15‑18: Full bullpen routine, 60‑pitch session targeting <2 % fatigue index.

Projected Return: Early‑August 2026, after meeting the 85 % velocity benchmark and passing the throw‑accuracy test.

2.4 Brandon Crawford – Meniscus Repair Progression

Stage	Timeline	Key Activities
Immediate Post‑Op	0‑2 weeks	Cryotherapy, limited ROM, non‑weight‑bearing.
Early Rehab	3‑6 weeks	Closed‑kinetic‑chain exercises, stationary bike low resistance.
strength Phase	7‑12 weeks	Squat progression (bodyweight → light load), balance board drills.
Functional Phase	13‑20 weeks	Lateral shuffles,cut‑back sprints,fielding drills at 70% intensity.
Return‑to‑Play	21‑24 weeks	Full‑speed in‑field work, live game simulation, 90‑minute endurance test.

Projected Return: Late September 2026, aligning with the Red Sox’s final stretch before the postseason.

---

3. Practical Tips for Fans Tracking the Comebacks

• Follow the red Sox’s official Twitter ( @RedSox) and Instagram Stories for daily rehab updates and “Day X of recovery” posts.
• Use MLB’s “Injury Tracker” app to receive push notifications when any of the four players are cleared for roster moves.
• Monitor the team’s minor‑league assignments: many rehab starts occur with the Worcester Red Sox (AAA) before the major‑league call‑up.
• Check the Boston Globe’s “Red Sox Beat” column for physician insights and biomechanical data (e.g., velocity trends, load metrics).

---

4. Roster Implications if All Four Return in 2026

Position	Current Replacement	Potential Impact
Shortstop (Casas/Crawford)	Pablo Reyes (utility)	Restores defensive depth, improves in‑field dialog; both left‑handed batters add lineup flexibility.
Starting Rotation (Mayer)	Nathan Eovaldi (starter)	Adds a right‑handed 5th starter with a fastball averaging 94 mph; reduces bullpen strain in double‑headers.
Bullpen (Anthony)	Nathaniel Lukes (relief)	Reinforces late‑inning high‑leverage situations; secondary‑role versatility (left‑handed specialist).
Overall	Minor‑league call‑ups	Accelerates promotion of top prospects (e.g., jarren Baker), enhancing farm‑system depth.

---

5. Benefits of a Structured Rehabilitation approach

1. Reduced Re‑injury Risk – Progressive loading aligns with tissue remodeling timelines (typically 3–6 months for ligamentous injuries).
2. Performance Preservation – Maintaining sport‑specific neuromuscular patterns (e.g., sprint mechanics for Casas) mitigates post‑injury performance dip.
3. Data‑Driven Decisions – Wearable metrics (GPS speed, elbow torque) provide objective clearance criteria, limiting subjective bias.
4. Psychological Readiness – Structured milestones reinforce confidence; athletes report higher satisfaction when clear benchmarks are visible.

---

6. Real‑World Example: 2024 Red Sox Pitcher comeback

• Case Study – Nathan Eovaldi (2024)
• Suffered a partial‑tear of the right rotator cuff in august 2023.
• Followed a 6‑month protocol mirroring Mayer’s UCL program: bio‑feedback, interval pitching, and progressive velocity targets.
• Returned in May 2024, posting a 3.21 ERA over 12 starts,illustrating the efficacy of phased rehab for elite pitchers.

takeaway for Mayer: Replicating a similar evidence‑based protocol can boost his chances of a successful 2026 comeback.

---

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When will the Red Sox officially add these players to the 40‑man roster?

A1: The standard MLB rule requires a player to pass a 10‑day MLB optional‑list stint after a full‑practice workout. Expect roster moves within 1‑2 weeks of each player clearing the final functional test.

Q2: how does the team monitor workload to avoid overuse during the comeback?

A2: Red Sox medical staff use Statcast‑derived pitch‑count thresholds combined with daily wellness questionnaires. players exceeding 85 % of their pre‑injury workload trigger a “cool‑down” protocol.

Q3: Are there any offseason training recommendations for fans replicating these rehab steps?

A3: While fans should not attempt medical rehab, incorporating general mobility drills (dynamic hamstring warm‑ups, shoulder band exercises) can improve overall athleticism and reduce personal injury risk.

---

8. Timeline Snapshot (Visual Summary)

player	Target Return	Key milestone	Monitoring Tool
Luis Casas	Early June 2026	Completion of Phase 4 (full‑speed fielding)	GPS sprint speed tracker
James Mayer	Mid‑July 2026	95 % pre‑injury velocity in bullpen	Wearable elbow torque sensor
Jarren Anthony	Early August 2026	85 % velocity + <2 % fatigue in 60‑pitch session	Throw‑tracking radar
Brandon Crawford	Late September 2026	90‑minute endurance test passed	Biomechanical gait analysis

---