Red Sox manager John Farrell said shortstop Stephen Drew could join Triple-A Pawtucket for rehab games in the couple days as he comes back from a concussion.
NEW YORK — Stephen Drew has turned a corner and is slated to be the opening day shortstop for the Double-A Portland SeaDogs on Thursday, Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday afternoon.
That means Drew could well be the starting shortstop for the major league team when the Sox play their home opener Monday.
Because he's listed on the seven-day concussion disabled list, Drew can play in a maximum of five rehab games. The Red Sox have planned for him to play four games — through Sunday — which would make him potentially active for Monday's 2:05 p.m. Fenway Park opener against the Orioles.
But the Sox could send him for a fifth rehab game if needed.
"If we need to take advantage of the fifth game, we will," Farrell said.
Drew suffered the concussion on March 7 when a pitch caught his helmet in a spring training game. He's already returned to the field by playing in extended spring games Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Once we were getting down to the last couple of days, he started to turn the corner in terms of day to day feeling consistent without the spinning sensation that he was going through," Farrell said. "At the gamespeed he’s been involved with, that hasn’t increased any of those symptoms so he’s in a good place right now, all thigns considered.”
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