Concussion symptoms land O’Neill on the IL
The Red Sox placed outfielder Tyler O’Neill on the seven-day injured list Thursday with concussion-related symptoms, the move retroactive to Tuesday.
“I’ve had a lot of dizziness. I’m fighting through that a little bit,” O’Neill said after the Sox’ homestand-ending 5-4 loss to the Guardians. “I’ve had a lot of fogginess the first couple of days. I was slow to think. It took me a little bit to recover from that, and I’m feeling better now. So I feel like I’m on the right path. Just working through the last stages of lightheadedness. I’m a little more fatigued than I’m used to, but I’m thinking better now and I think I’m on the right track.”
O’Neill collided with Rafael Devers in Monday’s game against the Guardians on a fly ball. Both were slow to get up, with both teams’ training staffs assisting the pair. O’Neill emerged with a towel over his left eye, suffering a laceration that required eight stitches.
O’Neill has been a force, batting .313 with a team-leading seven home runs.
After a three-game weekend series in Pittsburgh, the Sox have an offday Monday, and O’Neill would be eligible to return Tuesday against the Guardians in Cleveland.
“Yesterday he had an OK day after the workout,” said manager Alex Cora. “Today, he seems like he has more energy. But you know this is an everyday thing. They’re still going to check on him and we will see.”
Concussions can be challenging to diagnose. The Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo, for example, collided with the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. during a game in late May of last season, but he wasn’t placed on the injured list until Aug. 3, more than two months later. In September, he was shut down for the year.
O’Neill played catch on Thursday and has been riding the bike in the gym so the Sox can monitor his body’s response to an active heart rate.
“I’ve been progressing, thankfully,” O’Neill said. “But just not as quick as they initially hoped. And that’s OK. I feel like I’m on the right path again. It’s just a matter of being patient.”
O’Neill is scheduled to make the trip to Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The goal, he said, is for him to be activated for Tuesday’s series opener against the Guardians.
“I want to be ready,” said O’Neill. “I want to be back out there and wearing the uniform with these guys. I’ve got to get healthy first. But I think [Tuesday] is a realistic goal.”
Devers has bone bruise
Devers, meanwhile, has a bone bruise in his left knee, an MRI revealed.
Devers was the DH on Wednesday night but finished 0 for 4 with three strikeouts following his removal from Tuesday’s game. Devers, who felt pain when he made a play ranging to his right, isn’t sure when he’ll be ready to play again.
“When I feel good to go and 100 percent to play, that’s when I’m going to play,” said Devers through interpreter Carlos Villoria Benitez. “I’m not going to rush myself because I don’t want to go back to the same situation. So I’m going to take my time to get ready to play.”
This season has been a challenge for Devers, who also missed six games because of a sore left shoulder. nd
“He’s frustrated with the fact that he was doing so good during spring training, and the swing was on point [after] he made some changes. And he was working and all of a sudden, the shoulder and now this knee thing. He’s been healthy throughout his career,” said Cora. “Just like I told Trevor [Story], you put in the work and you’re responsible. I get it, you get frustrated, but I’m not going to be mad at you. I know you want to play.”
It’s uncertain if Devers will require a stint on the IL. Even still, that it’s a bruise and not something worse is a positive.
“Obviously, it feels good,” said Devers. “But at the same time, it’s kind of disappointing that I’ve been having to deal with all these injuries when I have never done it before in my career.”
Yoshida sits again
The slumping Masataka Yoshida was out of the lineup for the second straight game. Yoshida is hitting .215/.282/.292 with a .574 OPS and one home run in 71 plate appearances.
“We’re just giving him another day,” said Cora. “He had a rough day two days ago, and I feel like mentally he’ll benefit from one more. So, he’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
Yoshida’s time in the outfield this season has been limited to just one inning. Yoshida is making $18.6 million this season, making him the second-highest-paid player on the roster behind Devers.
Considered a poor defender, the Sox have relegated Yoshida to a DH role. Now, it’s fair to question whether he is fit for that, given that he hasn’t slugged much since last year’s All-Star break.
Pivetta progressing
Nick Pivetta (elbow) threw to 120 feet Thursday. He will throw again Friday before a bullpen session Saturday . . . The Sox activated Rob Refsnyder (toe) off the injured list. He pinch hit and struck out... Romy Gonzalez escaped ligament damage to his left wrist
. . . The Red Sox acquired righthander Vladimir Gutierrez from the Brewers in exchange for cash, then optioned the 28-year-old starter to Triple A Worcester. Story will be moved to the 60-day injured list and Joe Jacques has been optioned to Worcester . . . The Sox open a three-game series against the Pirates Friday night in Pittsburgh. Brayan Bello takes the ball against a starter to be determined for the Pirates. Kutter Crawford will oppose Mitch Keller Saturday. The Sox have yet to announce who will start in place of Garrett Whitlock (oblique) Sunday, with Martin Perez pitching for the Pirates.