Alex Bregman returning to Red Sox lineup before All-Star break

Alex Bregman is returning to the Red Sox roster before the All-Star break after all Boston s star third baseman is expected to be activated from the injured list during this weekend s four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays the Herald authenticated On Wednesday manager Alex Cora described the impending roster move as likely explaining the Red Sox feel relaxed with their star returning to the lineup without a rehab assignment Since Bregman opted to forgo his third career All-Star Tournament he can test the waters during the Rays series then use next week s break to continue his workouts build additional running volume and make any adjustments he may need This plan should allow him to hit the ground running so to speak when the Red Sox open the second half on July at Wrigley Field Bregman last played on May when he exited the top of a Baltimore Orioles doubleheader at Fenway with a severe quad strain He s credited the Red Sox trainers and diagnostic personnel for helping him heal faster than expected When he suffered a similar quad injury in he was out of the Houston Astros lineup for weeks He was hitting a career-best and putting up his second-highest slugging percentage and OPS when he went down Yet even after missing over seven weeks his hot start to the season has kept him afloat in several defensive and offensive rankings He entered Wednesday sixth among AL third baseman in assists tied for third in Defensive Runs Saved and second in double plays turned Only American League batters are worth more offensive WAR including Bregman s teammates Ceddanne Rafaela and Carlos Narv ez Among AL third baseman with at least plate appearances Bregman remains first in on-base percentage and top-five in Wins Above Replacement WAR home runs runs RBI BB Isolated Power ISO slugging percentage wRC wOBA batting average and BABIP Overall he ranks in the th MLB percentile or better in expected wOBA average exit velocity Batting Run Value Chase Hard-Hit and Whiff