The Red Sox announced that outfielder Wilyer Abreu has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Catcher Ali Sanchez was designated for assignment in the corresponding roster move.
Abreu returns after missing a little over a month due to calf tightness. As of two weeks ago, Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t have a set timeline for Abreu’s return, so it’s good news that Abreu has been able to make it back with a week to spare in the regular season, let alone before the playoffs begin. Abreu is in the lineup as the designated hitter tonight, which could be a sign that his calf isn’t quite 100 percent, or the Red Sox might simply just be easing him back into action.
Assuming his calf is generally okay, Abreu should step right back into his normal strong-side platoon role as Boston’s everyday right fielder against right-handed pitching. One of the sport’s best defensive outfielders, Abreu won the right field Gold Glove in 2024 and he is a strong candidate for a repeat, with +15 Defensive Runs Saved and +8 Outs Above Average to his ledger in 2025. Between his superb glovework and solid bat (.253/.325/.486 with 22 homers in 395 plate appearances), Abreu has quickly become a major all-around piece of the Red Sox roster.
Sanchez’s 2025 began on a minor league contract with the Blue Jays, and he was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox in early August. The Sox DFA’ed him 10 days after that claim, and after rejecting an outright assignment, Sanchez landed with the Mets on another minors deal. He then found himself on the way back to Boston in a trade on September 1, as the Red Sox wanted some additional depth behind the Carlos Narvaez/Connor Wong catching combo. Over 12 big league games in 2025, Sanchez has a .522 OPS over 23 plate appearances (all but two of them with Toronto).
Sanchez has a career slash line of .183/.220/.283 over 133 career PA in parts of four different MLB seasons, as his bat hasn’t been productive enough to hold down a regular role even if his well-regarded glove keeps getting him looks. Sanchez is out of minor league options, which is part of the reason why he has been such a regular on the waiver wire. Because he has been previously outrighted, Sanchez has the ability to elect free agency if he clears waivers and is assigned to Triple-A, though he is probably more likely to just accept the assignment and stay in the organization as depth.
First
First what? First comment with no point? Yup definitely the first.
You know you don’t have to act like a b*tch right?
1st what? No seriously, first what? Am I wrong, how am I wrong? Please tell me and try not to use bad words. It’s immature and you’ll learn that eventually. But for now, try to remain calm and tell me you’re first what ??
You know what my problem is? I’m always trying to fix people. I need to realize that I’m not responsible for fixing the world. It’s dumb to think that way and I need to let it go. Thanks for helping me out. Maybe that’s what you’re the first to do? First to help me realize I can’t fix everything. It’s not gonna happen no matter how hard I try. Thanks bro, appreciate it.
Don’t stop trying, my friend.
Fenway, lol. My “post comment” button and my finger act as one way too many times. Really for guys like me, the post comment button needs to be in another room.
I’m first to your moms bedroom
Why is that, your own mom was too busy? You had to get on the list and didn’t wanna wait?
You know I’m right so your resort to name-calling. Not a good look to show your teeth right away. It’s weakness.
Oh my goodness what a day so far. You know what, if the Red Sox lose I’m gonna burn my hat. That’ll solve everything and I’ll be in a better mood.
Desperately need him in the lineup. Hope he’s ready to go and doesn’t take long to get ramped back up.
Worried how long that ramp up is without a rehab assignment. Regardless of ramp up, he’s a huge upgrade over Adam Eaton!
Wilyer’s power has been missed. Welcome addition back to the lineup
I wish they designated Murphy after that pitiful performance the other night.
I’d hate to see your LinkedIn page.
This should help. With the Guards steaming along, this thing is coming down to the wire. No backing into the playoffs for anyone this year with 4-5 solid teams in the mix. Losing Roman was such a blow, hopefully this mitigates things a bit.
Wilyer is a great asset on both sides of the ball so the gains are significant for the Sox as RF in Fenway really needs a great fielder out there.