A Quick Recovery for Xander Bogaerts?

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was off to a great start this season, hitting .368 and a pair of homeruns, to help the Red Sox continue their blazing start in April baseball.

Then on Sunday, Bogaerts chased a misplaced ball right into Tampa Bay’s dugout, suffering injury and requiring help off the field. The Red Sox confirmed a day later that Bogaerts was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle.

“The key to this diagnosis is ‘non-displaced,’ which means the bones stayed in their normal position,” says orthopedic surgeon Joe DeAngelis, MD, MBA, of BIDMC’s Sports Medicine Division. “Any bone injury takes time to heal, but when they haven’t moved out of place, the recovery can be quicker.”

News reports indicate that Bogaerts’ fracture isn’t the type that requires surgery. The Red Sox placed the 25-year-old player on the disabled list, expecting to be without him for up to 14 days.

With any bone injury, it’s important to avoid activity that causes pain. “Whether it’s a non-displaced fracture, a bone bruise or a sprain, it’s best to stay off it and let the bone heal,” DeAngelis says.

Your doctor will recommend the best care plan for you. “I usually recommend elevating, icing and wrapping your ankle to reduce swelling, especially during the first 48 hours after injury,” DeAngelis says. “Your body will let you know if you’re pushing it too hard.”