The Boston Red Sox are set to learn more about Curtis Mead’s recovery as the infielder approaches a scheduled follow-up scan for his fractured left wrist.
Mead is expected to undergo the imaging around the four-week mark after suffering the injury shortly after joining Boston. The results should give the club a better indication of whether he can begin progressing toward a return.
The update was reported by Ian Browne of MLB.com ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants.
Mead was acquired from the Washington Nationals on July 25 in a trade for left-hander Connelly Early. He made his Red Sox debut two days later but was forced to leave after being hit on the left wrist by a 94.9 mph fastball from Athletics right-hander Jack Perkins.
Initial X-rays were negative, but an MRI the following morning revealed a nondisplaced fracture. Boston subsequently placed Mead on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 28.
The encouraging part of Mead’s recovery is that he has not required surgery. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said the plan was to put the infielder in a cast and re-image the wrist after about four weeks.
That timeline puts the upcoming scan at an important point in determining Mead’s next step. If the fracture shows sufficient healing, the Red Sox could begin working him back toward baseball activities.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mead arrived in Boston after producing a career year in Washington, batting .253 with 17 home runs, 48 RBIs and an .852 OPS across 87 games. The Red Sox viewed him as a key right-handed bat for their postseason push.
A September return remains possible, although Boston has not set a firm timetable. The follow-up imaging should provide the clearest indication yet of whether Mead can contribute during the final weeks of the regular season.
For now, the Red Sox will wait for the scan before determining how quickly their trade-deadline addition can resume his push toward a return.
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