The rookie season of Marcelo Mayer is now over.
The Red Sox revealed on Sunday that the 22-year-old infielder, who damaged his right wrist in late July, will have surgery to end his season. With a three-month recuperation period following the procedure, Mayer should be fully recovered in time for spring training to begin.
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Mayer stated prior to Sunday’s game that he specifically has a torn TFCC (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex), which is more severe than the one he had in 2022. He added that although he was immediately aware that he would probably require surgery, he was given a shot in the hopes of returning to the field this season.
I obviously had two options: either I got the shot and tried everything I could to get a chance to play again, or I had surgery when I first hurt it. I gave it everything I had,” Mayer said. I want to play and help the team win, but that’s just the hand I’m dealt at the moment. It’s obvious that I’m very sorry about what’s happening.
Mayer sustained the injury while swinging during Boston’s game against Philadelphia on July 23. He made an unsuccessful attempt to resume baseball activity after getting shot. He claimed that he could only throw up to roughly 60 feet without any problems, but that he played catch when the rest of the group was traveling in San Diego. Additionally, he claimed that the shot only helped for a few days until he struck a wall once more and that it ached to even take practice swings.
After a while, it became evident that the only option was surgery.
“I just can’t come back and play the way my wrist is right now,” Mayer stated. Therefore, the decision to get the surgery was really simple.
Mayer, who has struggled with ailments throughout his professional career and had each of his last three seasons cut short, has suffered yet another setback with the sprained wrist. Throughout 2022, he struggled with wrist and back problems. He missed the last two months of 2023 because of shoulder inflammation, and he was out of commission from July 31 onward last year because of a lumbar strain. He will now also miss the final two months of his rookie season in the major leagues.
It’s annoying because, as I mentioned, all I want is to be playing and I try my hardest to position my body as best I can. Obviously, incidents like that occur in baseball, Mayer said. All I’m trying to do is remain positive, work hard throughout the offseason, and return better.
In 44 games after making his Major League Baseball debut on May 24, Mayer batted.228 with four home runs, 10 RBI, and a.674 OPS. Even while his total offensive performance wasn’t particularly noteworthy, he gave the team a significant defensive boost, especially during the period when All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman was sidelined due to a quad issue.
Mayer’s debut season was evaluated by Red Sox manager Alex Cora in a measured but good manner.
Not finished. An educational experience. You had glimpses of him offensively, defensively, and baserunning-wise. He still needs to work on his offensive game, but with time, he will improve, Cora stated. I’m glad he participated because he will play a significant role in the organization’s future. Just make sure he is prepared and right, and we’ll see what comes next.
I think it’s been a terrific year; I’ve made it to the major leagues, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. Of course, I had more goals I wanted to accomplish, but my season was cut short, Mayer remarked. However, this club is truly unique, and I believe we have a strong enough squad to have a successful postseason run, and that’s all that counts to me. I will be rooting for them all the way.
Boston’s infield will suffer if Mayer leaves, but Cora thinks the team has enough depth to survive. Since his injury recovery, Bregman has performed admirably at third base, and the Red Sox have recently used Ceddanne Rafaela frequently at second base to make room for the team’s excess outfield players.
Although he was still learning at the major league level, Cora stated, “we have some capable guys in the minor leagues in case something happens here.” He is undoubtedly a solid player and defender.
Mayer stated that he hopes to heal fast enough to have a reasonably normal offseason and that he anticipates having surgery as soon as feasible.
“That is undoubtedly the objective,” Mayer stated. I’ll continue working toward it, but by the middle of the offseason, I should be fully recovered.
