Boston Red Sox juggle travel delay, All-Star injury and trade rumors

The Boston Red Sox’s scheduled series opener against the New York Mets was threatened by a 17‑hour travel delay. After a series‑ending win over the Chicago White Sox, the team’s charter finally lifted off from Chicago at 1:34 CDT on Friday and was expected to land at LaGuardia around 4:46 ET, giving the club less than three hours to reach Citi Field for the 7:15 p.m. start. The club entered the game on a hot stretch, having won five straight and 10 of its last 12 games.

Pitcher Ranger Suarez was placed on the 15‑day injured list with a left groin strain, ruling him out of the upcoming All‑Star Game. Suarez is 4‑3 with a 3.15 ERA in 17 starts this season. The Red Sox are evaluating replacement options, including Brayan Bello and a potential bullpen game.

Separate trade speculation surfaced as ESPN analyst Jeff Passan identified three Red Sox players—Willson Contreras, Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock—as possible trade candidates ahead of the July 31 deadline. The team’s recent performance and roster depth have fueled both buyer‑interest and seller‑considerations.

Overall, the Red Sox are navigating logistical challenges, a key pitcher’s injury, and ongoing roster‑move chatter while maintaining a strong win‑loss record in the early season.