Red Sox’ Cora provides another hopeful update on Bregman’s injury

When the Red Sox return to Boston for their final homestand before the All-Star break, there’s a chance their top hitter could be back in the lineup.

Alex Cora didn’t rule out the possibility that Alex Bregman could play in either of the upcoming series against the Rockies or Rays.

“I hope so,” the Red Sox manager told reporters when asked if Bregman could return in the upcoming week (via MassLive’s Chris Cotillo). He’s doing his rehab. I talked to him yesterday. A lot better, so we’re getting close.”

In a follow-up, Cora was asked if Bregman’s return could come as soon as Monday.

“Happy Fourth,” Cora replied with a smile.

While the Red Sox have had a couple of offensive outbursts over the last week (including an 11-2 win over the Nationals on Friday), Bregman’s return to the lineup would certainly be welcomed. Even before Rafael Devers got traded, he was arguably their best hitter this season. He was on pace to be named an All-Star starter, hitting .299 with a .938 OPS, 11 home runs, and 35 RBIs before suffering a quad strain on May 23.

As Boston has had sme stronger performances at the plate as of late, it still hasn’t hit too well since the Devers trade on June 15. It ranks 15th in runs scored since then, putting up 79 over 16 games. Prior to Bregman’s injury, the Red Sox were fifth in runs scored.

Of course, the Red Sox had Devers for the entirety of that stretch. But they’ve called up top prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer since then, with the former in a bit of a groove over the last week. Mayer has been a bit more shaky at the plate, but he’s been a plus-fielder at third base since Bregman’s absence.

That leads to the question of what the Red Sox will do with their lineup once Bregman returns. Mayer, who was primarily a shortstop in the minors and has experience at second base, said he’d be open to wherever the team wants to put him.

“Obviously, when Alex comes back, who knows what’s going to happen,” Mayer told reporters this past week. “But like I said before, I’m willing to play anywhere in the field. I’m going to give my 100 percent [wherever] they want me to play.”

Mayer might not have to worry about moving around the field quite yet. It’s been speculated that the Red Sox could opt to have Bregman be their designated hitter in the interim before Masataka Yoshida returns from injury. Yoshida is currently in Double-A Portland and is expected to join Triple-A Worcester for rehab games in the coming days.

Bregman’s return from injury isn’t the only thing that’s caused him to draw headlines as of late. He can also become a free agent this offseason, holding an opt-out for the final two years of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed with the Red Sox this offseason.

As Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, has said that his client would be open to an extension, Bregman also indicated a willingness to remain in Boston when he met with reporters on Monday.

“I expected to love playing here and I have definitely loved playing here,” Bregman said. “It’s a great place to play baseball. Being able to play for this organization is awesome. My expectations were all very positive and it’s definitely lived up to those positive expectations.”