There's no question the Red Sox could use a jolt amid their current slump, and Kyle Schwarber is capable of bringing it. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented Boston's key trade deadline acquisition from doing so.
Schwarber suffered a right hamstring strain July 2 and hasn't appeared in a game since. The veteran slugger was progressing well in rehab until he had a setback due to left groin tightness last week.
Tomase: Red Sox can't take too many more body shots
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SIGN UP HERE Still, it appears Schwarber could return for the Red Sox within the next couple of weeks. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Tuesday that Schwarber is "trending well" and doing "much better today than over the weekend."
That's certainly encouraging news for a Red Sox team that has lost nine of its last 11 games and has scored more than four runs in only one of its last eight.
Schwarber hit 25 home runs in his first 72 games with the Washington Nationals with 16 of those homers coming in June. The 28-year-old outfielder could bring much-needed left-handed pop to Boston's lineup and could be even more useful if he proves to be adequate at first base.
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The Red Sox begin a three-game set vs. the first-place Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.