Red Sox likely sending Jackie Bradley Jr. back to minors - MLB

Jackie Bradley Jr. has started to lose playing time amid his struggles and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox will “likely” send the 23-year-old back to the minors when David Ortiz returns from the disabled list Friday.

Bradley is 5-for-38 (.097) with one extra-base hit in 12 games, although he has drawn six walks and stolen a base. There was plenty of debate about whether the Red Sox should have kept him at Triple-A to begin the season due to service time issues, but sending him to Triple-A now would serve the same purpose if he stays for a while.

Minnesota made a similar choice in going with 23-year-old Aaron Hicks as the Opening Day center fielder and he’s hitting even worse than Bradley at 2-for-45 (.044), which is a reminder that fan and media cries for teams to “put the best players on the field” aren’t always so cut and dried with rookies.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to rejoin the rotation at Cleveland after missing nearly 14 months because of Tommy John surgery.

The Rays’ Opening Day starter last year hasn’t pitched this season after undergoing the procedure on Aug. 4, 2021.

“I think we’re pretty confident he’ll be starting for us,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said before the game with Toronto. “This is the first time he’s thrown pain-free in quite some time, so he’s encouraged by it.”

The 6-foot-8 right-hander went 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts last year and is a key addition as the Rays near a wild-card spot.

“Compared to the past, like, three years it feels way better as far as postday and the week leading into starts and stuff,” Glasnow said. “It’s good to have an UCL, you know.”

Cash said Glasnow will throw around 45 pitches in his initial outing, which should allow him to go two or three innings.

“Two innings of Glasnow is still a huge plus for our team,” Cash said. “Like to get three innings. If we do, great. If we don’t, that’s fine, too.”

Glasnow allowed one run, one hit, four walks and had 14 strikeouts over seven innings in four starts with Triple-A Durham.

“I’m really excited,” Glasnow said. “I’m approaching it like normal, staying on routine. Feels normal.”

Glasnow signed a two-year, $30.35 million contract that will delay the start of his free agency by one year last month. He’s making $5.1 million this year and will get $5.35 million next season and $25 million in 2024, which is the first year he would have been eligible for free agency.