The latest update on Triston Casas doesn’t just confirm what the Red Sox have feared; it makes things worse.
Casas has suffered a setback with sore ribs, with manager Alex Cora saying he is “shut down for a while… we have to slow it down.” (h/t Tim Healey of The Boston Globe).
The 26-year-old was already on the 10-day injured list while remaining in Fort Myers to continue his recovery from the torn left patellar tendon he suffered in May 2025. The recovery time for that injury is 12-14 months, with Casas aiming for an optimistic return this May. With this rib injury in the picture, that window is now off the table.
That puts enormous pressure on Willson Contreras, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in December to serve as the team’s primary first baseman. The problem is that Contreras isn’t a player that Boston can count on to stay healthy.
His 2025 season ended in September with a right biceps strain. Before that, he dealt with a fractured left forearm and a broken right finger in 2024. Those injuries limited him to just 84 games that season. The injury history is exactly why the Cardinals moved him off catcher and to first base in the first place. He’s been productive when available, but that's the thing: he needs to stay available.
Boston doesn’t have many fallback options either. Romy Gonzalez, the third option on Boston’s depth chart at first, has been dealing with a left shoulder injury that wiped out most of his spring. Gonzalez was shut down from baseball activities and limited to playing catch before being placed on the 60-day IL, making him a non-factor until at least June.
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That leaves the Red Sox without a legitimate backup at first base to open the year. If Contreras goes down, and his recent history suggests that’s a real possibility, there’s no clear answer behind him.
So, the decision facing the front office is clear, even if the answer isn’t. Trade for a first baseman who can serve as real depth, or trust that Contreras stays healthy while Casas works through another obstacle. A few options worth taking a look at may be as close as the American League East.
However, for this team that wants to compete in a highly competitive AL East, relying on Contreras isn’t a gamble worth taking. The Casas timeline just got trickier. Contreras’ durability is a concern, and there’s no safety net on the roster. The Red Sox front office needs to go find one.
