Red Sox’ Sonny Gray on hamstring injury: ‘It doesn’t feel like it’s a horrible thing’

“I’ve dealt with it for a while, just managed it,” Gray said. “It’s just something I’m always having to monitor since the first time it happened.

“I’m not concerned for a long-term thing. Having familiarity with it is a good thing because it’s kinda like a ‘crap’ thing too because you have familiarity with the same thing. It doesn’t feel as bad as it has other times where I have missed time. I will say that. And that’s a good thing.”

Considering the season is less than a month old, the Red Sox may choose a cautious approach and place Gray on the 15-day injured list so he doesn’t worsen the injury by pitching through it. He’s next due to pitch Saturday afternoon in Baltimore and lefty Payton Tolle, who has pitched well in three starts at Triple-A Worcester, is a natural fill-in option. The Red Sox could also choose to start Tolle early in the week against the Yankees and push back other starters if Gray needs to go on the IL. (UPDATE: A source said late Thursday that Gray will indeed go on the 15-day IL with lefty Tyler Samaniego taking his roster spot.)

“That’s not for me to say, I guess, at this moment,” Gray said when asked about an IL stint.

In any case, roster moves seem likely ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Yankees after Cora used eight relievers in Monday’s win. Putting Gray on the IL would clear one spot for a fresh arm like Tolle, veteran Tommy Kahnle or lefty Tyler Samaniego. Rookies Jack Anderson and Ryan Watson (a Rule 5 pick who struggled again Monday) could also be in jeopardy of losing their roster spots as the Red Sox try to re-shuffle things after a three-day stretch in which their starters combined for just 11 ⅔ innings.

“We’ll see,” said Cora. “It is what it is and we’ll talk about it a little bit now and see if we have to make any moves.”

More Red Sox coverage

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• Red Sox reactions: Offense rallies for Marathon Monday win; Sonny Gray leaves start (hamstring)

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