The Boston Crimson Sox are using a seven-game win streak earlier than the All-Star break, and one among their three gamers picked for this yr’s midsummer basic is ready to return to the lineup this weekend towards the Tampa Bay Rays.

All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman will “play this weekend,” in keeping with supervisor Alex Cora, who spoke to reporters after Bregman went by way of a full exercise earlier than Boston’s 4-3, series-opening win over the Rays.

Bregman has been out since struggling a strained proper quad on Might 23. He didn’t make an look in Thursday night time’s sport, however Cora mentioned the 31-year-old will play two of the video games within the four-game collection, per MLB.com.

In different phrases, between now and Sunday, Bregman will place twice versus the Rays.

“He’s in an ideal place, and we’re going to belief the participant,” Cora advised reporters, by way of ESPN. “… My greatest concern is the defensive a part of it: The 9 innings on the market, going into the dugout, going forwards and backwards, the popup down the road, the bunts and all that, however he has checked nearly each field.”

Bregman hasn’t made a minor league look whereas working his manner again to motion for the Crimson Sox.

“You acquire, I don’t know, 5, six or seven at-bats [in a rehab assignment], so why not get them right here?” Cora mentioned.

Earlier than his damage, Bregman was slashing .299/.385/.553 with 11 residence runs, 17 doubles and 35 RBI. His .299 batting common is the best of his profession.

Although he’s performed solely 51 video games this season, he nonetheless earned a spot on the AL All-Star workforce, together with Crimson Sox ace Garrett Crochet and and reliever Aroldis Chapman. Bregman, nevertheless, is not going to play in Tuesday’s All-Star sport at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

Bregman beforehand made two All-Star groups with the Houston Astros, first in 2018 after which in 2019. He gained two World Collection titles in his 9 seasons with the Astros.

Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million cope with the Crimson Sox this offseason.

Boston entered Friday fourth within the AL East standings with a 50-45 document, 5 video games again of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays.