BOSTON — After Nathan Eovaldi threw three innings in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Red Sox Manager Alex Cora didn’t rule out the possibility of the veteran right-hander returning to action this week in New York.
“There’s a chance. He could be activated around Friday,” said Cora, who hadn’t talked to Eovaldi but got a report. “He felt good mechanics-wise and stuff-wise.”
Right-hander Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) also is working his way back and is scheduled to pitch Tuesday for the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field.
Whitlock pitched in Worcester on Friday and allowed two runs on six hits while recording three strikeouts in two relief innings. He was not pleased with the results but feels healthy and is nearing a return to the majors.
“Today, he was moving around,” Cora said. “I was joking with him, he has to back up a few bases. That’s part of the rehab.”
Eovaldi gave up two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out three in Worcester’s 8-3 win Sunday. He’s been out since June 12 because of back inflammation.
“I’m very, very ready to go and be able to help the guys out,” Eovaldi said. “They’ve been doing really good and just recently the rotation’s been struggling a little bit, but (Chris) Sale’s coming back, I’m coming back. We’ve got a few other guys that are close, and I think once we get everybody’s back out there, we’ll be able to pick up where we left off.”
Cora ran through the rest of his team’s injuries:
• Rafael Devers, who left Friday’s game because of lower back pain, was out of the lineup Sunday and won’t play Monday at Tampa Bay.
“Raffy is feeling better, but we’ll stay away from him (Sunday) and probably tomorrow,” Cora said. “I’m trying to avoid playing him four games in Tampa with the turf… Playing him down there, we have to be very careful.
• Kiké Hernandez will get more testing on Monday after a setback Friday in his rehab assignment.
• Pitchers Rich Hill and Michael Wacha will travel with the big club to Tampa.
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