Opponents hit .333 against Weissert’s slider this year, with a .778 slugging percentage — the highest slugging mark among his pitches. He induced a mere 8 percent whiff rate on that pitch, the lowest of his arsenal. His slider averaged 6.6 inches of horizontal break, a tick above average. Still, his overall contact percentage — not just on the slider, but all of his pitches — is around 80 percent, above league average.
“It was a really good conversation with [pitching coach Andrew Bailey] and [chief baseball officer Craig Breslow],” said Cora. “They presented the [information] to him and he’s better than this. He knows that. His fastball is good and the slider is good. So we’re going to work on a few things and he can join us whenever we feel he can contribute here.”
Weissert, acquired from the Yankees in the Alex Verdugo trade last offseason, was expected to make a significant impact. He was viewed as an upgrade over John Schreiber, who was traded to the Royals during spring training. The Sox gave Weissert chances to correct his form this month as he made 10 appearances. Over 11⅔ innings, however, the righthander posted a 6.17 ERA, with opponents hitting .302.
“He’s going to be a part of this,” said Cora. “We know that and he’s better than that. From my end, the way the season was going, it was hard for me to find a lane where I was comfortable with him. He’s not a two-inning pitcher. He’s not a guy that comes in up seven or down seven. But the reality is where we were bullpen wise it was hard for me to find a lane for him in high-leverage situations against righties. But he’ll be back and contribute. He’s a good one.”
To replace Weissert on the active roster, the Red Sox recalled righthander Trey Wingenter from Worcester. Wingenter owns a 3.03 ERA in 38⅔ Triple A innings this year.
Casas to begin rehab assignment
Triston Casas (rib cage strain) is still on target to begin his rehab assignment Tuesday with Worcester. Casas hit off the pitching machine again at Fenway Monday.
Cora said following the All-Star break that Casas turned the corner quickly, ramping up his progression.
The Sox maintain Casas likely will need a good chunk of time in Worcester before returning to the parent club.
“Obviously there’s a lot that goes into this, check swings, all that stuff,” said Cora. “There’s going to be stuff that is going to happen in the game that you cannot practice, right, but he feels comfortable. He feels like he can let it go.”
Casas will play first base Tuesday.
Top draftees sign
The Red Sox signed three additional players from their 2024 draft class: outfielder Braden Montgomery (first round), lefthander Payton Tolle (second), and righthander/shortstop Conrad Cason (eighth). Per a major league source, Montgomery signed for $5 million, Tolle signed for $2 million, and Cason for $1.25 million … Vaughn Grissom (hamstring strain) was at the ballpark and took batting practice on the field. He will resume his rehab assignment Tuesday. Cora said the second baseman has gotten stronger and regained his normal weight after getting sick with a stomach bug early in the year.
Alex Speier of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Julian McWilliams can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @byJulianMack.
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