Just last week, some good news emanated from Red Sox manager Alex Cora. The word was that Triston Casas progression back his injury - a tear in the cartilage between his rib cage and sternum - had taken a significant turn for the better.
Tuesday, we will witness the official evolution of that turn-the-corner moment, with Casas beginning his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester.
So, what exactly happened that allowed for this turn for the better?
Speaking to WEEI.com Monday at Fenway Park, Casas downplayed any dramatic development, but did surface a neatly-wrapped reality that wasn't on anybody's radar ... except the first baseman. His return marks the exact 100-day mark from not playing in a big league game.
It's all part of the attention to detail that has defined Casas' time away.
"Everyday literally was about one percent better and it has been about 100 days now. So quite literally, 100 days," said Casas, referencing the span between April 21 and his debut with Worcester. "One percent better every day. Just working really hard. Going through a lot of pain. Just pushing through a lot of stuff. Trying to remodel that tissue. Even the impact of the balls, you know, at the start, bothered me and stuff. But, you know, we're gonna see how it goes out there.
"I'm feeling great right now. Feeling strong. My bat speed is fine. You know, I'm gonna go out there compete. My defense has been intact. I've been working on that a lot, my conditioning, and my wind is great, I've been running plenty. And my arm is in great shape. I've been lifting. So it's just about going out there, put the bat on the ball and you know, playing hard and trying to go win baseball games."
Casas has gone to great lengths to find ways to hit the ground running when this moment arrived. There was the visualization in the Fenway Park batter's box. And countless hours hitting off of simulations of opponents' starting pitchers using the Trajekt pitching machine.
But now comes the reality, one which Casas admits he is bracing for.
"I'm really nervous," he said. "You know, seeing how well everybody's been playing I just want to keep on the same side of the road and go with the flow. I mean, everybody's been really positive and instrumental in my rehab. So I was just wanting to make everybody else proud. Proud that that's been supporting me through this process. So yeah, so it's been a long road coming. A lot of motions, ups and downs. So yeah, I'm just happy to find them. See the day that I'll be in the lineup. Hopefully it goes well."
The Red Sox have certainly managed without Casas, going 44-39 while currently residing one game out of a wild card spot. They have also totaled the second-best OPS in baseball during that span, thanks in part to a collection of first basemen (led by Dom Smith) that have put up a respectable .722 OPS.
But nobody will argue a healthy and productive can be the kind of difference-maker that gives the Red Sox an even greater push heading into the regular season's final two months.
"It feels like I got hurt just yesterday," he said. "It's been 13 weeks, almost 14, but I'm happy that my days have been packed. I've been productive. I haven't had any time to feel sorry for myself, the boys been doing really good, keeping me positive.
"I've been trying to maintain those bonds that I had. And, you know, hopefully I hit the ground running, but I can anticipate a struggle or two. I mean, it's one thing to have an offseason to train and then six weeks spring training, and then you know, you gotta roll into the season, and then you catch a groove, and then you get hot, but it's another thing to get injured and miss almost 14 weeks and come back and try to play at the highest level. I'm interested to see how I do,
"I'm gonna compete every single day, I'm gonna give 100 percent. I'm feeling the boys understand I have been pushing through to to get back on that field. So I think no matter what happens, I'm going to be happy with myself, and so is everybody. And it's going to translate to wins, for sure."
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