BOSTON -- The Red Sox welcomed catcher Connor Wong back from the 10-day injured list Friday, but immediately put another key player on the 15-day IL in veteran starter Walker Buehler (right shoulder inflammation).
The news on Buehler, who underwent a battery of tests in Boston on Thursday while the club was completing a three-game series in Toronto, was about as good as the club could have hoped for.
“We don't think it's that serious,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Miss two starts and hopefully come back as soon as the [15] days are over.”
Right-hander Hunter Dobbins, Boston’s No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is likely to be recalled from Triple-A Worcester to start Saturday’s game at home against the Twins in place of Buehler. Dobbins was called up for two spot starts early in the season and performed well, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA.
Buehler tossed six innings and allowed three runs in a win at Cleveland on Saturday in his most recent start.
However, Buehler’s shoulder didn’t bounce back well from that outing and now the Red Sox are taking a conservative approach with a player who has battled his share of injuries in recent years.
Buehler’s move to the IL was retroactive to Tuesday, so if everything goes smoothly, Buehler would be in position to return by mid-month.
In his first six starts for Boston, Buehler is 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 33 2/3 innings.
Meanwhile, Wong made a swift return to the roster after fracturing his left pinkie finger on catcher’s interference on April 7.
Wong, who homered in the third and final game of his Minor League rehab assignment on Thursday, was inserted into Friday night’s lineup for Boston, batting seventh.
During his absence, Carlos Narváez emerged behind the plate, enough so that Cora might go into more of a job-sharing arrangement with his two catchers rather than having a clear starter and backup.
“Narvy caught the three games in Toronto,” Cora said. “We thought it was a good day for Connor to get here and catch [Brayan] Bello. He’s here and we know he’s going to contribute.”
How does Cora envision the playing time breaking down?
“We’ll play it day by day,” Cora said.