After beginning the second half 2-7, the Red Sox desperately needed good news.

It came Monday afternoon in the form of Triston Casas, who will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

“He feels good. He feels really good,” manager Alex Cora announced before the series opener with the Seattle Mariners. “He turned the corner really fast after the All-Star break. He feels comfortable with the swing.”

Casas last played on April 20, when he left the game after experiencing rib pain during an at-bat. He went on the injured list the following day with a left-rib strain and torn cartilage, an uncommon injury in baseball.

The 24-year-old first baseman has been champing at the bit to get back. Throughout his time on the sidelines, he’s done everything from wearing spikes in the dugout during games, to standing at home plate, gazing out at the emerald expanse.

“Tomorrow, he wants to play nine,” Cora said with a chuckle. “I don’t see it happening, but he’s ready to go.”

Casas won’t be the only big-leaguer rehabbing in Worcester. Vaughn Grissom is continuing his own rehab assignment with the WooSox. The two infielders became fast friends after Grissom arrived from the Atlanta Braves in the Chris Sale trade.

“(He’s) looking good, he looks stronger, gained some weight,” Cora assessed. “He feels like he’s getting closer to himself, the best version of himself.”

Red Sox sign top draft picks

The Red Sox have officially come to terms with their top two draft picks, Braden Montgomery and Payton Tolle, as well as two-way high school player Conrad Cason.

Montgomery, the 12th-overall pick, signed for $5 million. Tolle, the organization’s highest pitching selection since Tanner Houck in 2017, signed for $2 million, and Cason for $1.25 million.