CLEVELAND — Red Sox catcher Connor Wong (fractured pinky) began a rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
He’s batting second in the WooSox lineup. The plan is for him to play seven innings, manager Alex Cora.
Cora said the Red Sox don’t know yet how many rehab games Wong will need before he’s ready to be activated from the IL. But it’s likely he’ll need more than one.
“We’ll play it day by day and we don’t have to rush him,” Cora said Sunday at Progressive Field before Boston’s series finale against the Guardians.
How will Cora split the playing time between Carlos Narváez and Wong?
Wong started five of the Red Sox’ first seven games and seven of their first 11 games before fracturing his pinky.
But the playing time should even out a bit more as Narváez has proved to be a strong defender in Wong’s absence.
Cora said about Narváez. “He’ll play. I’m not saying we split up the week but he will play a lot.”
Narváez ranks in the 100th percentile among major league catchers in blocks above average (5). He’s in the 87th percentile in both framing (1) and fielding run value (2).
“If you look at the numbers he’s been the best defensive catcher in the big leagues,” Cora said. “Obviously somebody that we targeted in the offseason. Talked to Henry Blanco who managed him in Winter Ball and he liked him a lot. But this is great.”
The Red Sox acquired Narváez from the Yankees for pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz on Dec. 11. He had appeared in just six major league games — all for the Yankees in 2024 — prior to this season.
“The framing, the blocking is great,” Cora said. “Calling the game. I think offensively there’s more. We’ve just gotta be patient and so far it’s been outstanding.”
Narváez’s weaknesses defensively is throwing. But it’s something the Red Sox focused on during spring training. Catching instructor Parker Guinn involved the Red Sox pitching department to help him with his mechanics. He’s 3-for-15 in caught stealing so far.
“I think mechanic-wise, there’s a few things that Parker and Tek (Jason Varitek) have worked with him (on) and he takes a lot of pride behind the plate,” Cora said.
Wong had a bad year defensively last year. But he began this season strong, ranking in the 77th percentile in blocks above average (2), 72nd percentile in caught stealing above average (1) and 71st percentile in framing (0).
