Red Sox Infielder Finally Returns To Field After 10 Months

Batting practice for the first time in 10 months. That was hopefully the first step towards a comeback season for the Boston Red Sox extremely talented—and extremely injury-prone—Adalberto Mondesi.

The shortstop was acquired last month in a trade from the Kansas City Royals, and the Red Sox plan this season is to mix and match him with Kike Hernández and Christian Arroyo up the middle at the keystone positions at short and second. 

But for Mondesi, who has only played an average of 51 games per season over his seven years in the majors, just being healthy enough to take regular BP was a relief. 

“It felt a little bit weird (to be hitting on the field),” Mondesi told Chad Jennings of The Athletic. “But the second round (from each side) was more normal, so I just let it go a little bit more. I’m just happy to be out there, you know?”

Adalberto Mondesi is real. pic.twitter.com/7RYtZ0Fab3

— Brendan Campbell (@brendan_camp) February 23, 2023

Last year, he suffered an ACL tear in April and was limited to just 15 games. He's only been able to play more than 75 games in a season once in his seven-year career.

He's still a long-shot for Opening Day, but the Red Sox are not ruling it out, either.

“I can say I’m close (to playing in games),” Mondesi said. “But it all depends on what (the Red Sox) say. I’ve been feeling good and every day doing a little bit more, a little bit more. … That’s the plan, to be ready for Opening Day. That’s the mindset and we’ve been working for that.”

Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports