Alex Cora Reveals Injury Updates for Mitch Moreland and Nathan Eovaldi

The Boston Red Sox are steadily getting healthier as the second half picks up steam, a welcome development in what has been an uneven effort to defend their World Series title.

Per manager Alex Cora, Nathan Eovaldi threw a simulated game Monday in Boston and is set for a rehab stint at Triple-A Pawtucket in a matter of days. And a certain power bat he threw to during his sim game has a chance to make his way back to the big league club in time for the weekend: Mitch Moreland.

Boston Red Sox injuries: Nathan Eovaldi likely to pitch in rehab outing for Pawtucket this week; Mitch Moreland could be activated Friday https://t.co/PJq5DjcCeN
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) July 15, 2019

Eovaldi is expected to take up the closer's role when he's fully back from the elbow issue that's dogged him since April. Cora and Co. are hoping that the 29-year-old, who has a 6.00 ERA in 21 innings in 2019, provides a proper answer at the back end of a Sox bullpen that simply hasn't been the same since Craig Kimbrel departed.

Sox think we are stupid. July 2, they announce Eovaldi is the closer. 2 WEEKS LATER, we have not seen Eovaldi and are told he will begin a rehab assignment Wed or Thurs. Wow. Who announces that help is coming 3 WEEKS FROM NOW? What a joke.
— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) July 15, 2019

Moreland, who has been slowed by a quadriceps strain, could be shipped to Pawtucket for a minor league runout as soon as Tuesday. He hasn't played since June 7th, and is hitting .225 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI on the year.

Fingers are crossed in Red Sox Nation that these two can provide meaningful contributions down the stretch.