The Boston Red Sox are preparing for the return of catcher Connor Wong from the injured list, targeting his comeback for this weekend after a fractured pinky. Manager Alex Cora indicated Wong is still uncomfortable catching, needing more rehab games to regain confidence. Meanwhile, Yasmani Grandal, who recently joined the team, faces a May 1 opt-out decision.

The Red Sox have relied on Carlos Narváez, who has excelled defensively, ranking highly in blocks and fielding metrics, suggesting a potential platoon situation with Wong upon his return. This dynamic could bolster Boston's catching depth as they look to navigate the season's challenges.

As the 2025 MLB season progresses, the Boston Red Sox find themselves in a competitive spot, holding a 16-14 record and standing second in the American League East, just 1.5 games behind the New York Yankees. Looking to maintain momentum, the Red Sox head into a critical three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, riding a two-game winning streak and having won six out of their last ten games.

In contrast, the Blue Jays have struggled recently, losing seven of their past ten contests. The Red Sox have also announced the beginning of a rehab assignment for catcher Connor Wong, who has been out due to a left fifth finger fracture. Wong had a breakout season in 2024 and is anticipated to be a key contributor upon his return. His absence has opened the door for rookie Carlos Narvaez, who, despite a subpar batting performance, has excelled defensively, earning him continued playing time even when Wong is back.

Connor Wong began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester following a fractured pinky, batting second in the lineup. Manager Alex Cora indicated Wong would need more than one game to gauge his readiness for activation from the injured list. The team is optimistic but will monitor his progress closely. Wong previously started five of the Red Sox's first seven games, yet his absence has allowed Carlos Narváez to showcase his skills, proving to be an exceptional defender. Narváez boasts impressive defensive metrics, significantly contributing to the team during Wong's recovery.

Cora praised Narváez for being the best defensive catcher in baseball, noting his excellent blocking and framing skills. The Red Sox are focusing on improving Narváez's throwing mechanics, which could enhance his overall performance. Wong had also started the season strong defensively, but questions linger about how the Red Sox will manage catchers' playing time once Wong returns.

Lucas Giolito's recent rehab start has raised concerns for the Boston Red Sox as he struggles with command, walking six batters and throwing 55.3% of his pitches for strikes in 4⅔ innings. Giolito is expected to join the team in Toronto, where he could start on Thursday. His fastball averaged 92.4 mph, but he struggled to find consistency, having accumulated 13 walks in 17⅓ innings across five rehab starts. Meanwhile, catcher Connor Wong is on track to begin his rehab assignment after recovering from a pinky fracture.

Connor Wong is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend, signaling a potential return to the Boston Red Sox lineup as early as Tuesday in Toronto. His recovery from a broken left pinky finger appears to be progressing well, as he participated in a bullpen session catching Tanner Houck. While Wong's ability to hit remains under evaluation, the team is optimistic about his swift return.

In Wong's absence, the Red Sox utilized Carlos Narvaez, who has struggled offensively but received praise for his defensive skills. Blake Sabol served as the backup, but he is likely to be optioned out once Wong returns. Additionally, veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal, currently with the WooSox, could also be in the mix, especially with an opt-out option looming soon.