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Opening Day Return Remains Unlikely For Boston Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom

Originally posted on FanNation Fastball | By Sam Connon | Last updated 3/11/24

Boston Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom is not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham reported Monday morning.

Grissom's groin strain is not seen as a long-term issue, even though the injury could keep him sidelined for the entire month of March.

Manager Alex Cora first spoke about Grissom's injury on March 2. At the time, Grissom's availability for the start of the regular season was brought into doubt, and it appears as if the concern was warented.

Grissom remains unlikely for Opening Day. But not a long- term issue.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) March 11, 2024

On top of the fact that he was who the Atlanta Braves sent back in December's blockbuster Chris Sale trade, Grissom had been penciled in as the Red Sox's everyday second baseman for 2024. The 23-year-old has six years left of team control remaining as well, so Grissom was considered to be a part of Boston's young core moving forward.

Grissom is a .287 hitter with a .746 OPS in 64 career MLB appearances. He had five home runs, 27 RBI, five stolen bases and a 0.2 WAR as a member of the Braves.

Fangraphs' ZiPS projections have Grissom on pace to hit .284 with 10 home runs, 67 RBI, 11 stolen bases, a .771 OPS and a 2.6 WAR in 128 games this season.

Without Grissom, the Red Sox will likely open the year with Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes splitting time at second. The pair combined for a 0.4 WAR in 113 games in 2023, in addition to -11 defensive runs saved as second basemen.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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