Triston

Casas

Casas has been hitting all spring and recently started running the bases. He’ll probably begin a rehab assignment at some point in April and then the Red Sox will have to decide in May whether to try to squeeze him on to the roster or option him to Triple-A.

Casas suffered a patellar tendon rupture in May of last season and has been running out of the batter’s box and on the field in recent weeks. His next step is to work on sliding and playing in extended spring training games. Once that’s behind him, he will head to Triple-A to begin a rehab assignment. As of now, he is still on track to return at some point in May, when he is about a full year removed from his injury.

Casas had started two weeks ago, that he believed he had a shot to break camp with the Red Sox, but since then, he has not been able to complete the baserunning and sliding hurdles that he would need to get into a game. He will still likely be on the field at the beginning of the season, just for Triple-A Worcester. The goal remains for Casas to be back in Boston by the end of May.

Casas told Mass Live’s Chris Cotillo that he will be ready to play on Opening Day “for some affiliate.” Even though Casas is open to the idea that his first at-bats could come in the minor leagues or in extended spring training, he still believes that it could be in MLB games. “I still have a couple benchmarks, like sliding and running bases, that I haven’t tackled yet that I want to feel perfectly comfortable going into a game having done multiple times and recovered from.” However, Casas says he feels really good right now, and it seems likely that we see him in a Red Sox uniform in May, potentially earlier.

Casas noted, “I don’t see myself participating with the group, but I will be doing the same activities baseball-wise... But as of right now, I haven’t had the clearance to get out there and participate with the group, but I will take ground balls and continue to hit at my own pace, without the structure of being in a team workout.” His entire rehab from the knee injury has been shrouded in mystery, but it’s at least encouraging to see him in uniform and doing baseball activities. It remains unclear how he’ll factor into the Red Sox’ lineup mix once healthy following the addition of Willson Contreras to be the team’s regular first baseman.

There’s a shroud of mystery and uncertainty swirling around Casas as he continues to work his way back from last year’s serious knee injury. The Red Sox acquired veteran slugger Willson Contreras to take over at first base, which likely limits the former top prospect to DH until further notice. It’s too early to write Casas off completely since he’ll be just 26 years old on Opening Day but there are more questions than answers at this stage of his career. There should be some clarity regarding his immediate outlook and role based on how he performs in Grapefruit League action. He seems likely to open the year back in Triple-A Worcester but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him make Boston’s season-opening roster, especially if the Red Sox decide to move either Jarren Duran or Masataka Yoshida.

Casas is a bit of a forgotten man in Boston, but the soon-to-be 26-year-old could be the favorite for DH duties as of now. Casas has had some unfortunate injuries in his brief career, including a season-ending knee injury last season, but he has an .800 career OPS in 251 MLB games. He was once one of the top prospects in baseball and still could have a bright MLB future ahead of him.

The Cardinals will get righties Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita and will send Boston $8 million, according to Passan. Contreras, who is owed $41.5 million for the next two years or, if his option is picked up, $54 million for the next three, will apparently be waiving his no-trade clause to take over as Boston’s first baseman. That means Triston Casas could open up in Triple-A if healthy, though if he impresses in the spring, there’s also the chance the Red Sox could go with him and Contreras splitting time between first and DH. The Cardinals figure to install Alec Burleson at first, which would open an outfield spot back up for Jordan Walker alongside Lars Nootbarr and Victor Scott II. Contreras hit .257/.344/.447 with 20 homers in 135 games last season in his first year since giving up catching.

While the Red Sox are hopeful that Triston Casas will be able to return early during the 2026 season, it sounds like they’re trying to secure a backup plan just to be on the safe side. The Red Sox already completed one trade with the Cardinals — acquiring right-hander Sonny Gray — and it’s unclear if the discussions around Contreras were a part of those talks or a separate discussion. Even if a deal were to be consummated, the 33-year-old slugger holds a full no-trade clause and would need to approve the swap.

The Mets missed the playoffs despite Alonso’s huge year on offense, and the team is now “preaching defense or in the words of Stearns, ‘run prevention,’” which means that Alonso may not be the best fit. However, the Red Sox have an opening at first base and need the power that Alonso could provide them. Even if Triston Casas (knee) were to begin the year healthy, he and Alonso could split the first base and designated hitter roles.