Tyler O’Neill to undergo preventive knee imaging on Wednesday

Red Sox

After leaving Saturday’s game against the Brewers due to knee soreness, O’Neill revealed that he had been “suffering” from lingering discomfort for “a little while.”

As the Red Sox prepare for their third and final series game against the Orioles, an injured Tyler O’Neill takes an early flight home to Boston.

The outfielder will undergo imaging on his right knee Wednesday morning, according to MassLive’s Christopher Smith. And while manager Alex Cora said O’Neill’s early departure was a precaution, Wednesday will mark his fourth missed game in a row.

“We think he should be OK, but we just want to make sure he’s OK,” Cora said before Tuesday’s win at Camden Yards, according to Smith. “Then do this in the morning and see where we are.”

After going out in the seventh inning of Saturday’s loss to the Brewers, O’Neill revealed he’s been “suffering” from lingering discomfort for “a little while.”

Just a third of the way into the 2024 season, O’Neill’s injury is just one of many that have plagued the Red Sox. They are already missing Triston Casas, Trevor Story, Masataka Yoshida, Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock.

Protecting the health of O’Neill – an outfielder who leads Boston in home runs (11) – is imperative for Boston. O’Neill is hitting .236 so far this season and is 11-for-73 (.151) with 36 strikeouts in May.

The Red Sox will try to win the series in their final game against Baltimore on Wednesday night.