Red Sox Star Reportedly Nearing Return; Could Changes Be Coming For Club?

The Boston Red Sox may get one of their sluggers back sooner rather than later.

Boston entered the season with plenty of questions swirling about the club's offense, but newly signed outfielder Adam Duvall seemed to quiet the noise over the first two weeks of the season. Duvall arguably was the best hitter in all of baseball over the first two weeks of the season with a slash line of .455/.514/1.030 to go along with four home runs and 14 RBIs.

Duvall's hot streak sadly was cut short as he suffered a fractured wrist just eight games into the season. The 34-year-old was placed on the 60-day injured list as he recovered and it sounds like he may return soon, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.

"The Red Sox haven’t laid out a timetable for outfielder Adam Duvall to return to their lineup after fracturing his left wrist in early April, but Duvall himself has a date in mind," Cotillo said. "Speaking to MassLive before Wednesday’s game at Fenway Park, Duvall said his target date to return is June 9, when the Red Sox open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. That’s the first day he’s eligible to come off the 60-day injured list."

If Duvall could return in early June, he certainly could give the Boston lineup a power boost. If he's able to return to form he could be a major addition to the Red Sox's lineup, but the club will have decisions to make. Young outfielder Jarren Duran has taken over the center field role to the point where the Red Sox won't be able to take him out of the lineup.

Duran has slashed .361/.418/.588 in 28 games so far this season to go along with three home runs and 19 RBIs plus a team-leading seven steals. Boston's best lineup currently has Duran in it. Duvall likely will begin in a platoon role split between the outfield, designated hitter, and maybe even a little bit of first base. There's no way to know if he will still be as hot as he was when he suffered his wrist injury, but he will be a welcomed addition to the lineup.

Boston will have to make some decisions once Duvall returns and it sounds like that may be sooner rather than later.

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