Wilyer Abreu has been a revelation for the Red Sox this season, climbing the AL Rookie of the Year ranks and proving why he was worth the gamble in the Christian Vázquez trade. But just as he was heating up, he’s been forced to hit the pause button. With Abreu sidelined, Boston fans are left hoping this is nothing more than a minor setback. After all, the rookie sensation has been one of their brightest sparks, and they’ll need his bat back in action sooner rather than later.

He was promoted to the major leagues on August 22 after hitting 22 home runs and recording a .929 OPS with Triple-A Worcester in 2023. Abreu just finished a fantastic rookie season in which he batted.253 in 132 games with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, and a.781 OPS. He became the first Red Sox rookie to earn a Gold Glove since Fred Lynn in 1975. However, Spring Training has started, and Abreu is down with a viral gastrointestinal illness.

What do we know about Wilyer Abreu’s health from the Red Sox manager?

Chris Cotillo shared on X what the Red Sox’s skipper said about his outfielder. Cora said, “Nothing yet. The labs came in Friday. There’s still something there. He’ll get another lab Monday and we’ll see where we’re at. I don’t want to get into it but there’s something going on. Until we get the clearance from the doctors, we’ll stay away from him.” Since position players formally reported on Monday, the 25-year-old player has already missed almost a whole week.

Wilyer Abreu is projected as the team’s Opening Day right fielder if he fully heals by then. Abreu appears to be a crucial component going into 2025, but like Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, and Triston Casas before him, he must do one thing. What, you ask? Abreu must first demonstrate that he can smash lefties in order to establish himself as a legitimate everyday regular. However, the Red Sox has a bigger problem now, with Abreu also down with illness.

The Red Sox are facing a series of injury challenges

As the team heads into spring training, raising questions about their readiness for Opening Day. Kutter Crawford, who made a career-high 33 starts last season, is still dealing with lingering knee issues that have carried over from last year. Manager Alex Cora has indicated that Crawford may not be fully ready to contribute immediately, and his status remains uncertain.

Similarly, Brayan Bello is battling shoulder soreness, which has delayed his progress compared to other pitchers. Bello hasn’t participated in bullpens yet, leaving his availability for early spring games up in the air. In addition to the pitching setbacks, outfielder Wilyer Abreu is sidelined with an undisclosed health issue, and Rafael Devers is also behind in his preseason preparation. While these injury concerns loom large, Cora has emphasized that there are still plenty of opportunities for other players to step up and make an impact.

Several players are set to make their spring debuts soon, and the team will closely monitor how they perform during this crucial period. These early performances could play a significant role in shaping the team’s lineup and how they adjust their strategy heading into the regular season. Despite the injuries, the Red Sox remain optimistic that they can overcome these setbacks. The team will continue to evaluate Crawford and Bello’s progress with strength tests and medical evaluations in the coming days.