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He was activated from the IL in time for Wednesday’s game, going 4 for 8 before departing Friday.
“We’re still trying to find solutions,” said O’Neill, who received a cortisone shot prior to his reinstatement. “I feel like I was really close to getting through it just based on how I was feeling earlier in the day, so it really sucks. But the boys aren’t too worried about it, so I’m pretty thankful for that. Hopefully it clears up quick.”
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Monday is an offday for the club, which would give O’Neill the three days of rest Cora mentioned before a potential return.
Hampered by injuries all season, the Red Sox outfield is especially thin with Wilyer Abreu (ankle sprain) already on the IL. Cora is concerned that he might be overworking some of his healthy outfielders, particularly 33-year-old Rob Refsnyder.
“We have to avoid using Refsnyder out there. That’s one of my main worries, pushing him to the limit, and then we will really be in trouble,” said Cora. “He’s one of our best hitters, one of our best players . . . We have to take care of him.”
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The Sox don’t have any further outfield depth on their 40-man roster at Triple A. So, in O’Neill’s absence, Bobby Dalbec and Jamie Westbrook might be a part of the mix.
Cora is unsure if O’Neill’s injury will be something that lingers, and if it’s something he can play through.
“I don’t know about managing the pain. That’s him, right? But this guy wants to play. He’s been very vocal about it,” said Cora. “It so happened that yesterday he didn’t feel great out there and we took him out.”
Duran’s starry start
Jarren Duran has been a force at the leadoff spot, answering Cora’s challenge to play in every game this year while also putting up respectable numbers at the plate and in the outfield.
Duran went 0 for 3 Saturday, walking twice and getting picked off first base once, but is batting .263/.331/.451 (.782 OPS) with five homers, 14 stolen bases, and a major league-leading nine triples. He also has been one of the best outfielders in baseball, his 10 defensive runs saved before Saturday’s play second in the majors.
“He’s been amazing. He’s been solid,” said Cora. “I don’t campaign for my players for the All-Star Game, but when you start looking at numbers, triples, doubles, defensive runs saved, leading off, playing every day, he should be in the conversation.”
Duran’s outfield play has improved since being called up for the first time in 2021. Third base coach Kyle Hudson has a lot to do with it, helping Duran with his first-step quickness and focusing on jumps more than the route to the baseball.
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At the plate, Duran has found balance between aggression and control, a facet of the game in which he struggled.
“He understands that he doesn’t have to do too much to the pull-side in order to drive the ball,” Cora said. “He’s been taking pitches, fouling off pitches. And then when he gets on the bases, he can score from first.”
Devers battling knee, will sit Sunday
Rafael Devers came out of the game in the eighth, with Cora saying the third baseman’s knee was “bothering him.” Though the manager called the issue nothing more than a “little bit of soreness,” Devers will get the day off Sunday . . . Masataka Yoshida (right thumb sprain) went 1 for 4 in the first of his two rehab games as designated hitter for Triple A Worcester, telling reporters he felt no pain. He is scheduled to play again Sunday, and the Sox hope to have him back by the end of the week . . . Romy Gonzalez is still on target to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday for Worcester . . . Triston Casas (rib cage strain) hasn’t swung a bat yet. He recently said he aimed to by the end of this week . . . Cora was ejected by home plate umpire Alan Porter after the top of the fifth inning, following a called third strike to Jamie Westbrook. The manager was run before he ever reached home plate to argue, but made the most of his time, covering home plate with dirt and continuing to speak in both an animated and impassioned tone. It was Cora’s first ejection of the season and the 15th of his managerial career.
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Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him @byJulianMack.
