Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Thursday that Casas (ribs) has been taking full batting practice and could be ready to begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week, Chris Henrique of MLB.com reports.
The Red Sox have given mixed messages on the status of Casas' progress in recent days, but Breslow's statement Thursday certainly qualifies as the most favorable update that's been offered. If Casas is indeed ready for rehab games in the coming days, he could have a shot to return from the 60-day injured list by early or mid-August. The first baseman has been sidelined since late April with a cartilage tear in his left ribcage.