MASH Unit: Ross recovering; Bailey has surgery; Morales feeling good; Buchholz throws

The Guru
Contributing Writer

Catcher David Ross out since mid-June with a concussion returned to the team Thursday and said he expects to play again this season.

Ross has been free of symptoms for three straight days and will resume cardio work soon. He is on the 60-day disabled list with his second concussion this year.

While there is no timetable for a return, Ross said he is “very confident” he will get back on the field.

“I’m feeling a lot better. It was rough there for a while, but I’m getting back,” Ross said. “The guys have been playing well and I’m just glad to be back around these guys. I missed them a lot.”

Reliever Andrew Bailey, out for the season with a shoulder injury, had both his labrum and capsule repaired on Wednesday.

Manager John Farrell said, “There was repair done to both the labrum as well as the shoulder capsule. If there was any needs as far as the rotator cuff, that was minimal.”

Bailey is facing up to a year of recovery time and figures to be a non-tender free agent candidate this winter. His days in a Red Sox uniform may be over.

Left-handed reliever Franklin Morales, who has been on the disabled list since June 25 with a strained pectoral muscle, threw in the bullpen earlier this week and said he hopes to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment next week.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "Everything is fine now."

If Morales can get healthy, he would be a valuable addition to a thin Boston bullpen.

Starter Clay Buchholz remains out with a shoulder injury. While Buchholz did throw on flat ground Wednesday, there is no timetable for his return.

Farrell would only say that Buchholz is "moving in the right direction." Buchholz has not pitched since June 6.


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