‘There’s a good chance’ Red Sox’ Triston Casas begins rehab assignment next week

Casas has not played since late April as he recovers from a ribcage injury.

Triston Casas could return to the Red Sox in the coming weeks, according to manager Alex Cora.

The recently extended skipper told reporters on Saturday that the first baseman is trending toward playing with one of the organization’s minor league teams, perhaps next week. Casas hasn’t played since suffering torn cartilage in his ribcage on April 21 against the Pirates.

“He hit off the machine. Progressing well,” Cora said before Boston’s game against the Yankees. “Probably Trajekt (a pitching robot) tomorrow. There’s a good chance that he could go on a rehab assignment next week. So I think that’s where we’re at right now. Let’s see how the weekend goes, but he’s feeling a lot better.”

Cora added that he’s unsure of how many games Casas will need to play during his rehab assignment. However, if the 24-year-old starts playing games within the next week, he would presumably be able to join the big league club some time in August.

The positive news comes two days after chief baseball officer Craig Breslow announced that Casas is taking full batting practice. Then on Friday, Breslow explained that Casas might be able to start his rehab assignment in the next week. Cora all but confirmed the news on Saturday.

Just last week, Cora said “it will be a while” before Casas can play with one of the minor league teams. It seems that the player’s recovery has turned a corner since then and he’s feeling ready to compete in a game.

Casas originally wanted to return to the Red Sox in late June or early July, circling the team’s series against the Marlins from July 2-4. Given the significant delay in his return to action, some feared he wouldn’t be back with the Boston club until September.

When Casas does rejoin the team this season, the Red Sox will need to make a roster move to make room for him. Dom Smith has largely filled in for him since signing with Boston on May 1. When Smith isn’t in the lineup, Romy Gonzalez typically plays first base for Boston.