Swihart to remain out until after All-Star break
The Boston Red Sox are preparing to close out the first half of the season without catcher/outfielder Blake Swihart, who's expected to stay sidelined until at least the middle of July with a severe left ankle sprain.
Dave Dombrowski provided reporters with the update Thursday, roughly two weeks after Swihart jammed his foot against the bottom of the wall at Fenway while trying to make a catch in left field. The Red Sox initially announced Swihart would only remain immobilized for two weeks, though Dombrowski conceded the club anticipated a much longer recovery.
"He’s in the boot, the walking boot, he’s getting treatment," Dombrowski, the president of baseball operations, told Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald. "I don’t think he’s back in the next couple days by any means. We originally said six-to-eight weeks. I guess we’ll keep it at that time frame."
Swihart's adjusted well so far to his move to left field following a minor-league demotion earlier in the season. The 24-year-old hit .258/.365/.355 across 19 games, while also providing the Red Sox with another option at catcher, his natural position.
His delayed return comes at a most inopportune time for the Red Sox, who are dealing with injuries of varying degrees to catcher Ryan Hanigan, utility man Brock Holt, and outfielder Chris Young.
The confirmed timetable places Swihart's return anywhere from the middle of July until the beginning of August.