Romy Gonzalez Rehab Halted After Hip Flexor Soreness

Tests will determine whether the Red Sox can still activate him soon as the club pauses his stepwise return to the majors.

Overview

Gonzalez exited a Double-A Portland rehab game after two plate appearances on Friday with soreness in his hip flexor, and the Red Sox have paused the assignment while they run diagnostic tests.
He had begun the rehab this week after undergoing shoulder surgery in March and homered in his first rehab appearance, making the latest setback unexpected.
The pause removes a likely near-term reinforcement for Boston’s roster and stalls the planned path that would have gone from Double-A to Triple-A Worcester before a big-league activation.
Boston’s middle infield depth is already thin with Isiah Kiner-Falefa newly placed on the injured list and Trevor Story and Nick Sogard sidelined, so Marcelo Mayer, Andruw Monasterio and recalled Anthony Seigler will carry primary duties for now.
Gonzalez’s strong 2025 season (.305 average, nine homers, 53 RBIs) made him a valued multi-position bat, and his delayed return could force the club to consider short-term roster moves or different lineup strategies if tests show a longer recovery is needed.