Alex Cora expects Red Sox slugger to avoid IL; Patrick Sandoval ‘healthy’ after latest rehab start

MINNEAPOLIS — Manager Alex Cora said he doesn’t expect first baseman Willson Contreras’ low back tightness to result in an IL stint.

The 33-year-old slugger is not in the Red Sox lineup Wednesday after he left Tuesday’s game during the fifth inning.

“He’s doing OK,” Cora said before Wednesday’s game. “I think he’ll benefit from today and tomorrow and be ready for Friday.”

The Red Sox have an off day Thursday before beginning a seven-game homestand at Fenway Park on Friday.

“Hopefully with the day off tomorrow it helps to be back and playing Friday,” Contreras said.

Contreras’ back tightened up when he fielded a ground ball hit by Twins’ Kody Clemens in the third inning.

“Felt something in my back and then when I sat down for a little bit, it started getting worse,” Contreras said. “I decided to come out of the game just to be cautious with it; not to make it worse. Of course I wanted to play but it doesn’t make sense for me to make it worse right now. I’d rather have two off days like today and tomorrow and be back and playing Friday.”

He is batting .298 with a .444 on-base percentage, .491 slugging percentage, .935 OPS, three home runs, two doubles, 11 RBIs, 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 17 games (72 plate appearances).

Sandoval ‘healthy’

Red Sox lefty Patrick Sandoval struggled in his second rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday. The 29-year-old pitched two innings at Nashville, giving up five runs on three hits and four walks while striking out one. He also hit three batters.

“He was OK,” Cora said. “Obviously the line’s the line but (he’s) healthy. I don’t know if he was flying back today to Boston. Probably if that’s the case, show up tomorrow to Fenway and see where we’re at.”

Boston placed Sandoval on the 15-day injured list the day before the 2026 regular season began.

Sandoval is returning from left ulnar collateral ligament surgery (internal brace) that he underwent during the first half of the 2024 season. He missed the entire 2025 season after Boston signed him to a two-year, $18.25 million contract in December 2024 with the hope that he could contribute in 2026.

He has a career 4.01 ERA in 107 appearances (100 starts), all with the Angels from 2019-24.

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