Boston Red Sox fans finally will get a glimpse of Kyle Schwarber on Thursday.
The newly-acquired outfielder is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom confirmed on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show."
The WooSox are hosting the Syracuse Mets at Polar Park at 6:35 p.m. ET as Schwarber gears up for his first game action since July 2. The 28-year-old has been sidelined for over a month with a hamstring strain he suffered with the Washington Nationals and recently had a setback in his rehab after tweaking his groin.
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Manager Alex Cora said Schwarber was doing "much better" Tuesday after working out at Fenway Park, however, and said Wednesday night there was a "good chance" Schwarber's rehab stint would begin Thursday.
Schwarber's arrival can't come soon enough for a Red Sox team that's lost 10 of 13 games since his arrival via trade from the Nationals. The left-handed slugger was batting .253 with 25 home runs and 53 RBIs through 72 games prior to his injury, so he should provide some pop to Boston's lineup, especially if he can play first base.
The Red Sox also will welcome Chris Sale back Saturday as they aim to snap out of an extended funk and catch the Tampa Bay Rays, who lead the American League East by four games.