LAKELAND, Fla. -- It's not quite time to inspire panic, but there's growing concern about Xander Bogaerts and his readiness for the start of the season.
Bogaerts injured his ankle working out in his native Aruba prior to the start of spring training and was initially thought to be sidelined for a few days.
But here it is March, the Grapefruit League season has been underway for better than 10 days, and there is yet no timetable for his return to the field.
"It's taking a little bit longer,'' agreed Ron Roenicke. "I don't think there's a concern yet, but if we go another week and he's not out there doing stuff, yeah, then I think we'll start to get a little concerned.''
For now, there are no plans for additional testing. Bogaerts has been swinging in the cage, taking ground balls and doing some light running. But he hasn't been cleared for game action.
Roenicke said he wasn't sure how many at-bats Bogaerts would need in games here to prepare for the season, noting that all players are different in that regard.
If Bogaerts doesn't get back on the field soon and get the necessary ramp-up time to get ready for the start of the season, the Sox have a number of temporary options for shortstop, including Jose Peraza and Tzu-Wei Lin.
"Peraza, obviously, has the most experience (in the big leagues), having played it every day two years ago (with Cincinnati),'' said Roenicke. "And we've got it covered at second base (with Michael Chavis and Marco Hernandez).
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