Teams can't control the health or availability of their players as the postseason arrives. Injuries heal on their own timetable, not one dictated by the MLB calendar.
The Red Sox are waiting to see just how healthy they're going to be in October.
A few key players on the IL are expected back soon. Willson Contreras (hamstring), Ceddanne Rafaela (quad strain) and Tyron Guerrero are due back in the next week or so and their availability is not in question.
But there are a couple of players whose return to full health by the time the Wild Card round begins can't be guaranteed.
The Red Sox know that Garrett Crochet, who has pitched since late April, won't have time to build up arm strength to be available as a starter. But the team isn't ruling out Crochet contributing in a relief role, which would be a huge boost to the team's bullepn. Imagne a back end that features Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Erik Miller, Guerrero and Crochet over the final few innings.
Talk about intimidating.
But there's more in the wings, too. Tanner Houck, who underwent Tommy John surgery just 13 months ago, is in the midst of a rehab stint in the minors and could conceivably help out in the playoffs. For a team that's lefty-heavy in the pen, adding one more righthander with swing-and-miss capability for the late innings could be huge.
Finally, there's Curtis Mead. His return is perhaps the longest shot of this group. Mead, who suffered a broken wrist in his second plate appearance after being acquired in late July, has yet to even begin swinging a bat, and the clock is ticking.
For a team that could use all the slug it can get for its lineup, another righty run producer could be a huge lift for the lineup. Remember, the Sox managed just one homer in their three playoff games last fall, and that helped spell their downfall against New York.
Getting Mead back, however unlikely that feels for now, would lengthen the lineup and give the Sox one more player who can effect a game with one swing of the bat.
For now, all the Red Sox can do is hope that the healing process for all involved goes quickly and without any bumps along the way.
