BOSTON — Red Sox starting pitchers Michael Wacha and Rich Hill both are getting closer to returning.
Hill threw a three-inning simulated game here at Fenway Park on Friday.
“We’ll see how he bounces back today from this,” Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said. “Probably a bullpen on Sunday and we’ll decide what is the next step. But he looked good. He looked really good. The velocity, he got up to 90 (mph). So maybe the brace is helping him out.”
Wacha will throw a bullpen session Saturday and then throw a simulated game Monday.
Hill suffered a left knee sprain during his start in Chicago vs. the Cubs on July 1. Boston placed him on the 15-day injured list July 2.
Wacha, who is on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation, last pitched June 28 at Toronto. His IL stint is dated back to July 5.
Cora said they “probably” will need to make rehab starts in Portland or Worcester before returning.
“Probably a rehab start. Maybe two,” Cora said. “We’ll see.”
Other injury updates:
• Matt Barnes will make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Worcester on Friday at Polar Park. He has been on the IL with right shoulder inflammation since June 1.
• Trevor Story tracked pitches in the box Friday but he is not yet taking swings. Boston placed him on the 10-day injured list July 16 (dated back to July 14) with a right hand contusion.
• James Paxton, who returning from Tommy John surgery, is throwing bullpen sessions in Fort Myers. His next step will be a simulated game. Cora said he would provide more of an update Saturday.
• Josh Taylor will return to Fort Myers on Sunday to resume his rehab. He has not pitched for Boston this season because of a low back strain. He was pulled off a rehab assignment last Saturday.
• Kiké Hernández (right hip flexor strain) was pulled off a rehab assignment last week as well. He is working out in the weight room but he’s not participating in any baseball activities. He received a PRP injection last week.
“He’s feeling better after the shot,” Cora said. “That started today. I don’t know how long it’s going to be but at least he’s moving around.”
THE RED SOX scratched J.D. Martinez from their starting lineup 1 hour, 20 minutes before first pitch.
The team announced he was removed because of back spasms.
Rob Refsnyder, who was not in the initial lineup vs. Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, will replace Martinez at DH. He’s batting second behind leadoff hitter Jarren Duran.
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