Red Sox Insider Hints Club Could Shut Down Fan-Favorite Slugger For Season

The Boston Red Sox technically still are in the hunt for a postseason spot but it is extremely unlikely that the club will be in the playoffs.

Boston currently is in last place in the American League East with a 75-77 record and is eight-and-a-half games out of an American League Wild Card spot. The Red Sox at this point likely will start to turn their focus to the 2024 campaign and it wouldn’t be too surprising to see more time given to younger guys looking for a role with the club next year.

One player that could be a candidate to be shut down for the season is Red Sox slugger Justin Turner, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo.

“Red Sox might be wise to shut Justin Turner down for the rest of the way with nothing to play for,” Cotillo said. Hard to watch him run… or even walk around the clubhouse with the bone bruise ailing him. Extremely impressive he has gutted it out this long.”

Turner has been one of the Red Sox’s best players this season but has dealt with injuries in the second half of the season. The 38-year-old has done a solid job playing through his ailments but at this point, there isn’t much reason to risk further injury.

Turner has impressed and has slashed .280/.349/.468 to go along with 23 home runs and a career-high 95 RBIs. The veteran signed as a free agent with the Red Sox this past offseason and has a player option for the 2024 campaign. It’s unclear if Turner will return to Boston next season but all in all, his signing has been an absolute success.