Red Sox Provide Encouraging Curtis Mead Injury Update

The Boston Red Sox acquired Curtis Mead before the trade deadline, but he injured his wrist in just his second plate appearance with the team.

Mead has been on the injured list ever since and has been in a cast. However, Tracy provided a positive update on the infielder before Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins .

"He's healed enough, progressing in the healing where they could take him out of the hard cast and put him in the splint," Tracy said, per MassLive's Christopher Smith.

Getting out of the cast is a big step for Mead, but he still has a ways to go before he can get back in the lineup.

"He can start some mobility exercises," Tracy said. "So that's good news. It's still a ways off. He's been locked up for a while. So he's still gotta incorporate movement, mobility and strength. But he has moved on to that phase."

Mead was acquired to be the team's starting second baseman. He is under contract past this season, so getting him healthy goes beyond just getting him back on the field for a postseason run. The team traded Marcelo Mayer , so Mead is the preferred option at second base for the next few years.

Nick Sogard and Anthony Seigler have done a good job filling in for Mead. Andruw Monasterio has handled shortstop with Trevor Story out, but when Story returns, Monasterio will likely go to second base while Mead is still out.

Mead has a .851 OPS this season and is having the best year of his career. He has 17 homers and would be a huge boost to the Red Sox lineup if he can get healthy in time for the postseason.