Brendan Rodgers left Wednesday’s Red Sox/Twins game due to right shoulder soreness, and has since undergone both an MRI and a CT scan. Rodgers is now considering his options in the wake of these tests, and the situation “doesn’t look great,” Sox manager Alex Cora told the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey and other reporters.
The implication is that Rodgers might again be facing a significant shoulder surgery, which would be the third of his career. Rodgers’ rookie season with the Rockies was cut short by a season-ending surgery on that same right shoulder in July 2019, and some recurring issues in his shoulder resulted in another IL stint in 2020. Exactly three years ago today, Rodgers dislocated his left shoulder while diving for a ball during a Spring Training game, and a subsequent surgery delayed his 2023 season debut until the very end of July.
At the very least, Rodgers seems ticketed for a season-opening stint on the injured list. The veteran infielder doesn’t have any roster security since he is in Boston’s camp on a minor league contract, so it it as least possible the Red Sox could take the harsh step of cutting Rodgers entirely if he isn’t healthy. The likelier scenario is that Rodgers passes on at least the March 22 opt-out clause in his contract and is stashed on the minor league IL if he is indeed facing a long-term recovery.
The 29-year-old Rodgers was non-tendered by the Rockies following the 2024 season, and then signed a minors deal with the Astros last offseason that led to a spot on Houston’s Opening Day roster. Rodgers hit only .191/.266/.278 over 128 plate appearances and 43 games with the Astros, however, before a variety of injuries ended his season. An oblique strain led to Rodgers’ initial IL placement last June, and he suffered both a concussion and a nasal fracture after colliding with a teammate during a minor league rehab game. Back problems then cropped up for Rodgers when he next attempted to take the field during a minor league game in August.
Rodgers faced relatively steep odds of breaking camp with the Red Sox anyway, though Boston now finds itself down two middle infielders since Romy Gonzalez is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day due to shoulder problems of his own. Marcelo Mayer is slated to be Boston’s regular second baseman this season, though Rodgers was brought in as even more veteran depth at the keystone beyond the options already on hand (i.e. Gonzalez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andruw Monasterio, Nate Eaton, Anthony Seigler).