Vaughn Grissom began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester Friday night, and though he went 0-for-3 as the designated hitter, his big-league manager was pleased with the results.

“He brought energy down there,” Alex Cora said Saturday. “A good athlete. We’re excited that he’s finally able to play.”

Grissom debuted with the Atlanta Braves – at Fenway Park of all places – in August 2022. Over 64 regular-season games across the past two seasons, he’s hit .287/.339/.407 with 62 hits, 13 walks, and 49 strikeouts.

The Boston lineup could use an infusion of new energy. Over their first four home games of the season, they’re 21-for-128 (.164) with a .498 OPS, five doubles, three home runs, 10 runs scored, 10 walks, and 40 strikeouts.

That said, the Red Sox aren’t going to rush the infielder, whom they acquired for Chris Sale just before the new year.

“We just gotta be patient now,” said Cora. “Just take the right steps and whenever he’s ready, he’s ready.”

“He’s gonna need a lot,” the Sox skipper cautioned. “No games in spring training, repetitions at second base obviously… We have to be patient.”

With Trevor Story out for the season, the middle infield has become something of an immediate black hole over the last week. Entering Saturday, the Sox lead the Majors with 16 errors committed and 19 unearned runs, including 11 errors and 15 unearned runs over their seven games since the shortstop’s injury in Anaheim last Friday.

Grissom projects to be the team’s everyday second baseman, but shortstop is an option, too.

“Not much,” Cora said. “We have to make sure he gets the second base part of it… That’s how we envision him.”

Rob Refsnyder is also progressing in his rehab assignment with the WooSox. After striking out in all three at-bats on Wednesday, he went 2-for-3 with a double and run in Friday’s contest.

“Ref is asking for more at-bats,” Cora updated. “Ref had a good day (Friday) and he feels like he’s okay… so far, so good.”

Both Grissom and Refsnyder will play in the WooSox series finale in Syracuse on Sunday before temporarily rejoining the team for the annual Marathon Monday morning game at Fenway. They’ll resume their assignments when the next Triple-A homestand begins on Tuesday.