Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas will be absent from the team for a brief period due to illness, confirmed manager Alex Cora.
“He’s unwell. He’s come down with the flu,” Cora informed reporters on Sunday in Fort Myers, Florida. “He’ll be away from the facility for two or three days. He has equipment like a net, a tee, bats, and balls. He might even be in Miami right now, getting some swings in.”
Casas, aged 24, was not present at the spring training facility over the weekend. In his debut full season, he recorded a batting average of .263 with 24 home runs, 21 doubles, and 65 RBIs in 429 at-bats across 132 games. Additionally, he boasted a .367 on-base percentage and a .490 slugging percentage.
Boston picked Casas in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, selecting him 26th overall from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida.
Additionally, Cora mentioned that right-handed pitchers Bryan Mata and Alex Hoppe, a non-roster pitcher, will be unavailable due to injuries. Mata, aged 24, is dealing with a pulled right hamstring, while Hoppe, aged 25, has a tight lat muscle.
Mata, who progressed through the system as a starter, has exhausted his minor league options, and the Red Sox intend to utilize him as a reliever.
