Abreu set to return from injury: 'I'm ready to go'
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TAMPA -- Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu, a weapon and a threat, as manager Alex Cora referred to him, is likely to make his long-awaited return to the active roster and the starting lineup on Sunday night in the finale of a three-game series against the Rays.
“I feel strong. I feel good,” said Abreu. “So I'm ready to go.”
Abreu, sidelined for more than a month because of a right calf strain, worked out at Fenway Park on Friday and did more running exercises on Saturday after rejoining his teammates at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The training staff decided that the best course of action was to give him one more day.
Abreu last played for Boston on Aug. 17. At the time, he hoped the injury would keep him out for just a couple of days.
“Yeah, it was tough,” said Abreu. “I didn't expect to be out for this long, but now I'm ready. So that's the most important thing.”
The absence of Abreu stung even more when Roman Anthony, who is out indefinitely, went down with a left oblique strain on Sept. 2.
With two key left-handed bats out at the same time, the Sox had a 6-8 record entering Saturday.
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Abreu has started games in the Nos. 3-8 spots of the lineup this season, proving his offensive versatility. He is also a premier defender. His 22 homers are second on the team to Trevor Story, who entered Saturday with 25.
“He’s a guy that can hit the ball out of a ballpark, something we've been missing for a while, since he went down, actually,” said Cora. “Now we'll see how we play it out, as far as the lineup. But that threat down there, or wherever he hits … he can hit one out of the ballpark and change the game. Wherever he hits, he contributes. If he's in the middle of the lineup or lower in the lineup, he’s a good at-bat and he's going to add a weapon for us.”
Like many players in Boston’s young core, Abreu is eyeing playing in the postseason for the first time.
“Very, very excited, because I know it’s a big deal for us, for the team, for the city,” Abreu said. “So I think when we get there, it's going to be really fun.”