No. 1 responde riendo cuando se le pregunta sobre su posible regreso a los Red Sox.

When asked about his recuperation and potential comeback to the Red Sox, Triston Casas responds hilariously.

It’s what defines Casas as the distinct, driven first baseman who genuinely adores baseball. Thus, it was devastating news for the 24-year-old when he suffered a severe cartilage rupture in his rib cage early in the season. Not only has he been out of commission for an extended period of time, but his rate of daily rehabilitation has also been fairly slow. After a positive MRI, Casas wasn’t cleared to start taking dry swings until this past Wednesday.

But the joker had the entire media scrum in a stupor during a Wednesday discussion with reporters. In response to the question of whether he had been swinging before the positive imaging, Casas stated that he had, but “no bat.” He said that he had been having mood swings for ten weeks. He was attacked with a follow-up retort, which confused him.

Casas remarked, “Oh no, just in my mind,” when asked if he was swinging with just himself. Not with a bat, only in my mind. Thousands of at-bats have passed throughout this period, so I feel fantastic and prepared.”

Casas continued by saying he carried out this mental activity when lying down as well as while sitting, and he didn’t twist at all.

But in all seriousness, Casas is starting to reveal a possible return schedule. He is hitting in accordance with a plan that starts with 20 swings at 75% effort and ends with him taking batting practice and playing live pitching again. An All-Star break return date wouldn’t be out of the question for Boston to provide a much-needed roster boost.

Casas had a.244/.344/.857 start in 78 at-bats before going on the disabled list this spring. He also had six home runs and ten RBI. Casas’ skills might be very helpful to a Red Sox team that is desperate to make the playoffs, as Boston is now 1.5 games out of a Wild Card slot and 9.5 games back in the AL East.