If history is any guide, Alex Bregman will miss approximately two months because of the right quad strain he sustained on Friday.
Bregman said the injury was similar to the left quad strain he had in 2021. That injury kept him out of the Houston lineup for nearly 10 weeks.
Red Sox infielder Abraham Toro was one of three players the Astros leaned on to replace Bregman that season. He started 26 games at third base before being traded to Seattle.
“I played a lot,” Toro said Sunday before going 2 for 4 in a 5-1 loss against the Orioles. “Bregman is not a guy that you can really replace, but with Houston we were able to keep winning. It took a few of us.”
The Sox are planning to use rookie Marcelo Mayer in place of Bregman. Toro, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard also have major league experience at third.
Rafael Devers, of course, has the most experience. But manager Alex Cora has already ruled him out, saying he wants Devers to remain the designated hitter.
“Teams go through stuff and injuries are an opportunity for somebody else to step up,” Toro said. “Whether it’s me or anybody else, you need to take advantage of those chances.”
The Astros were 33-24 when Bregman was on the injured list. They finished 95-67 and won the American League pennant before losing to the Braves in the World Series.
The Red Sox don’t have the same base of talent as those Astros. But Toro believes they can persevere without Bregman.
“We have a lot of defensive versatility on this team,” he said. “I think Cora can make it work. Everybody has to be ready to do their part.”
Relief for the bullpen
Righthander Luis Guerrero was optioned back to Triple A Worcester after throwing 41 pitches over 1⅓ innings in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Righthander Zack Kelly was recalled, giving the overworked bullpen a fresh arm. He pitched two innings and allowed two runs, one earned.
Sox relievers had worked 27⅔ innings over the previous six days.
Kelly had last pitched for the Sox on April 20. He was demoted after allowing 10 earned runs over 10 innings.
“We’ve got to keep making moves to reset the bullpen. It’s been hard the whole week,” Cora said. “At one point we’ll reset.”
Story takes a seat
Shortstop Trevor Story sat out Sunday’s game and that could be the case on Monday as well. He’s 8 of 61 (.131) in his last 16 games with 21 strikeouts and has a .589 OPS on the season.
“Disconnect him,” Cora said. “Keep working. It’s not a lack of working; it’s been a lot. Maybe just back up and just watch the game from a different perspective.
“Not to think about the game plan or go out there and compete. Just relax and clear your mind. Hopefully that benefits him.”
Starter needed
Saturday’s doubleheader left the Sox in need for a starter in Milwaukee on Tuesday. Garrett Crochet starts on Monday and Brayan Bello on Wednesday. Cora said the team is discussing options … Carlos Narváez was 2 for 3 with a walk and had his first career stolen base. The rookie catcher is 23 for 53 (.434) in his last 16 games with eight extra-base hits and nine RBIs. He is hitting .299 with an .850 OPS on the season … Devers is 0 for 8 since his walkoff single on Saturday … Gonzalez, out since May 8 with a badly bruised left thigh, is feeling better and should be ready for a rehab assignment soon … Richard Fitts is set for a second injury rehabilitation start with Worcester on Tuesday at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. It’s uncertain if he would need a third minor league game. Fitts has been out since April 13 with a strained pectoral muscle … The Orioles signed utility player Cooper Hummel after he opted out of his minor league contract with the Yankees. He joined the team on Sunday and utility player Terrin Vavra was designated for assignment … It was 59 degrees at first pitch. The average temperature for the last seven games of the homestand was 56 … On Memorial Day weekend, the Red Sox recognized 29 members of their staff who are veterans on the field before the game. USAF Staff Sgt. Matthew Scollin sang the national anthem and representatives of four Gold Star families threw out first pitches.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him @PeteAbe.
