Latest news on Brendan Rodgers’ shoulder injury

Brendan Rodgers left Wednesday’s Red Sox/Twins game due to right shoulder soreness and has since undergone both an MRI and CT scan. Rodgers is now considering his options in the wake of these tests, and the situation “doesn’t look great,” said Sox manager Alex Cora Boston Globe’s Tim Healey and other reporters.

The implication is that Rodgers may face another significant shoulder surgery, which would be the third of his career. Rodgers’ rookie season with the Rockies was cut short by 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. Three years ago today, Rodgers dislocated his left shoulder while diving for a ball during a Spring Training game, and subsequent surgery postponed his 2023 season debut until the end of July.

At the very least, Rodgers appears to be ticketed for a season-opening stint on the injured list. The veteran infielder doesn’t have roster security as he’s in Boston camp on a minor league contract, so it’s at least possible the Red Sox could make the bold move of cutting Rodgers entirely if he’s not healthy. The more likely scenario is that Rodgers at least passes on the March 22 opt-out clause in his contract and is stowed away on the minor league IL if he indeed faces a lengthy recovery.

Rodgers, 29, was undrafted by the Rockies after the 2024 season and subsequently signed a minor contract with the Astros in the offseason, leading to a spot on Houston’s Opening Day roster. However, Rodgers hit just .191/.266/.278 over 128 plate appearances and 43 games with the Astros before a variety of injuries ended his season. An oblique strain led to Rodgers’ first 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 arose for Rodgers the next time he tried to take the field during a minor league game in August.

Regardless, Rodgers faced relatively long odds to break camp with the Red Sox, although Boston has been down two middle infielders since then. Romy González It’s unlikely he’ll be ready for Opening Day due to his own shoulder issues. Marcelo Mayer will be Boston’s regular second baseman this season, although Rodgers was brought in as even more of a veteran cornerstone than the options already available (i.e. Gonzalez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andruw Monasterio, Nate Eaton, Anthony Seigler).