‘I'm living my worst nightmare right now': Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas eyes 2026 Opening Day for return from injury
Casas described the injury like being hit with a sledge hammer.
'As of right now, our goal is Opening Day next year,' he said. 'Just going to take it slow.'
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Casas said he would spend the offseason in Fort Myers, Fla., rehabbing with team staff at Fenway South.
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Casas played only 63 games in 2024 because of torn rib cartilage in his chest. This season was limited to 29 games. At 25, he's at a career crossroads.
'I had a lot of goals for myself this year that I'm not going to be able to accomplish. So back to the drawing board,' he said. 'I'll have a full off season to recover [and] get back to the caliber of player I hope on being.'
Dr. Eric Berkson, the team orthopedist who did the surgery, told Casas that he should make a full recovery.
Former major league pitcher Garrett Richards had a similar injury covering first base at Fenway Park while playing for the Angels in 2014. He returned to play in 2015 and pitched for the Red Sox in 2021.
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He contacted Casas and offered advice based on his experience.
'He's been a big help to me mentally, walking me through everything that I was going to feel,' Casas said. 'So I'm really grateful for him and his messages, his kind words to me. He's been awesome.'
With his left leg wrapped in a brace, Casas carefully made his way out to the field during batting practice and greeted some fans. He was wearing fingernail polish the same shade of green as the team's new alternate uniforms.
'I'm living my worst nightmare right now,' Casas said. 'This is the worst-case scenario for any type of player to go through a recovery that's double-digits months long.
'But going through it now, I feel like I'm going to be better because of it. It's just part of the game.'
Peter Abraham can be reached at
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