When the Red Sox first placed Wilyer Abreu on the injured list on Aug. 21 (backdated to Aug. 18), it was with the hope the right fielder would require just the minimum 10 days. That milestone has come and gone, and it remains unclear exactly when he will slot back into the middle of the lineup.
Prior to Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Pirates, Abreu walked slowly back and forth across the outfield at Fenway Park flanked by strength and conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose. The languid perambulation underscored the fact that, almost two weeks after suffering his right calf strain, Abreu’s return isn’t imminent.
“Are we concerned? Yes and no,” said manager Alex Cora. “He’ll be back at one point, but I think it’s been longer than expected.”
Abreu said he’ll start a running progression Monday, and he’s not expected to return to the active roster during the remaining three games of the homestand. He expressed uncertainty about whether he’ll play during the subsequent six-game road trip to Phoenix and Sacramento.
“We’ll see what the trainers say and hopefully they let me play soon as possible,” said Abreu. “I’m working. I feel pretty good, so I’m very confident that the injury is [healing] very well, [but] it’s not exactly where I expect it to be. It’s just gonna take a little longer, but I think I will be better than I was before, so that’s the most important thing.”
Abreu said he’s stayed sharp as a hitter by working off the Trajekt pitching robot that simulates big league velocity, pitch shapes, and deliveries.
“That lets me stay ready [so] I don’t lose anything while I’m on the IL,” said Abreu, who is hitting .253/.325/.486 and remains tied for the team lead with 22 homers. “It’s tough [to miss time]. Of course I want to be on the field playing and helping the team, but the circumstances that I [have] right now are a little bit different, so right now I’m focused on my injury and getting healthy as quickly as possible and be ready before the end of the season and be ready for the playoffs.”
Cautious approach to Tolle’s workload
The Sox are unlikely to have Payton Tolle stay on turn and make a second big league start against the Guardians with the benefit of four days of rest Wednesday. Tolle has yet to make a start with fewer than five days of rest, and the team wants to exercise caution with the 22-year-old.
“Obviously, understanding Tolle’s workload, we have to be cautious,” said Cora.
Tolle is at 97 innings, the most he’s thrown in a single season — he had the additional workload of being a two-way player in college. There are unknowns in front of a pitcher who is in his first pro season, whether overall pitching workload, the duration of the season, or potentially unfamiliar requirements like pitching on fewer than five days of rest or perhaps working out of the bullpen.
Still, even as the Sox want to proceed carefully, they also recognize the considerable payoff of confronting the lefthander with unfamiliar challenges.
“We’re in the business of winning games, and we know where we’re at on Aug. 31,” said Cora. “I think everybody in that room expects him to be a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish, and I do believe he will be.”
Lefthander Kyle Harrison, who had been scheduled to start for Triple A Worcester on Sunday, was scratched, thus keeping him available for a potential start Wednesday.
Devanney debuts for Pirates at Fenway
Cam Devanney, the former Central Catholic star and Globe All-Scholastic, was 0 for 3 with a walk for the Pirates in his major league debut and played all nine innings at third base.
“It was unbelievable,” Devanney said. “I’ve been coming to Fenway since I was 5 and been a Sox fan my whole life. Just a great experience.”
Devanney, 28, is a native of Amherst, N.H., who played at Elon University and was drafted by the Brewers in 2019. In the Royals organization last season, he was traded to the Pirates in July. He estimated that 50 friends and family were at the ballpark.
Phillies nab Buehler
Righthander Walker Buehler, who was released by the Sox on Friday, signed a minor-league deal with the Phillies. He will report to Triple A, but is eligible for the NL East leaders’ postseason roster … With rosters expanding to 28 players Monday, the Sox can call up one position player and one pitcher. Cora wasn’t ready to announce any decisions.
Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com. Follow him @alexspeier.