Red Sox roster: How Connor Wong, ex-All-Star’s opt-out complicate catching situation

TORONTO — The Red Sox are “shooting for” catcher Connor Wong (fractured pinky) to return from the 10-day injured list this coming weekend, manager Alex Cora said.

Wong isn’t in Triple-A Worcester‘s lineup Wednesday after playing in rehab games with them Sunday and Tuesday. The expectation is he will play again Thursday and will need more than one more rehab game before he’s ready to be activated.

“He doesn’t feel comfortable catching right now,” Cora said Wednesday here at Rogers Centre. “There’s a little bit of hesitation with certain pitches. So he’s going to give it a try tomorrow, see how he feels.”

Wong worked out with catching coordinator Tyson Blaser on Wednesday.

“Hopefully he feels better and we can get him back over the weekend,” Cora said.

As Wong works his way back from the IL, Yasmani Grandal has an opt-out decision to make Thursday.

The 36-year-old Grandal, a two-time All-Star, signed with Boston three days after Wong broke his pinky. His minor league deal includes a May 1 opt-out.

Grandal is playing for the WooSox on Wednesday after not appearing in a game since Sunday.

“He’s been OK but he’s been banged up,” Cora said.

Grandal entered today 6-for-20 (.300) with a .440 on-base percentage, .600 slugging percentage, one homer, three doubles, five RBIs, three runs, five strikeouts and five walks in six games for Worcester.

Catcher Carlos Narváez has played strong defense with Wong sidelined. Cora has indicated Narváez and Wong will split time instead of Wong being the No. 1 catcher and Narváez being the backup.

Narváez ranks in the 100th percentile among major league catchers in blocks above average (5). He’s in the 88th percentile in both framing and fielding run value.

“Carlos is going to play. He’s going to play,” Cora said earlier this week. “So we’ll figure out how we’re going to do it. But he’s done an amazing job. Right now he’s the best defensive catcher in the big leagues. He’s putting good at-bats (together). That’s how it works, right? We’re excited to have them both whenever Connor gets here.”

Blake Sabol has backed up Narváez. He will be optioned to Worcester once Wong is ready.

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