Garrett Crochet has ‘long since accepted’ Red Sox contract change

This is not what Crochet expected when he landed on the IL in late April with what he initially thought was minor shoulder inflammation. But in recent weeks, he came to accept the circumstances to such a degree that actually crossing the threshold was a mere formality.

“I’ve long since accepted it,” Crochet said before the Red Sox’ 5-4 win in the series finale with the Giants. “Regardless of that, my goal is to come back and help the team in any way that I can.”

To that end, Crochet is attempting to return this season as a reliever, which practically speaking is his only option. He doesn’t have time to build up to a starter’s workload.

His slow but — of late — steady progress has included playing catch from 90 feet with greater intensity. That is better than the 60 feet from which he threw for a couple of weeks.

Crochet has stayed optimistic, even as he fights the calendar and has to “weather the storm” physically after throwing.

“Recovery has been good,” he said. “Seeming to increase intensity and volume a tick, weather the storm a little bit the next day, and then a couple of days later when I have the same parameters and guidelines for the throwing.

“So I had a high day Tuesday and then I had a high day Friday. And the recovery Friday was better than it was Tuesday. Just kind of continuing to level that up.”

Interim manager Chad Tracy said: “Throwing with more intent, which is good. So, he’s just going to keep plugging along, and we’ll see how he progresses and where we can get him to.”

Rehab roundup

Following a minor league offday Monday, Roman Anthony (sprained right wrist/hand) will join Triple-A Worcester to resume his rehabilitation assignment, Tracy said.

Next steps for Trevor Story (sports hernia) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (left forearm stress reaction) are to be determined. They will return to Boston and be reexamined Monday.

“Up in the air,” Tracy said. “We’ll see how they feel when they come in here [Monday] and figure out what we’re going to do there … what moves we’ll make or if they’re going to go back out and continue to play [in the minors].”

Anthony went 3 for 11 in four games with Double-A Portland and played seven innings in left field Sunday.

“I still think he’s in a building-up phase [in the] outfield and continuing to get at-bats,” Tracy said.

Story is 4 for 21 with no walks and no extra-base hits in six games, which includes playing three days in a row. Kiner-Falefa is 1 for 13.

Mead update

Curtis Mead is due for four-week follow-up scans Monday to see how his fractured left wrist is healing.

Regardless of what those show, he will move into a splint (and out of a cast), which he will wear for the next two weeks, he said. He hopes to then graduate to range-of-motion activity.

Pitching plans

For a series against the Marlins beginning Monday, the Red Sox will keep their rotation in order: Ranger Suarez, Payton Tolle, Sonny Gray. It will get a tad tricky after that because of a doubleheader against the Yankees on Saturday. Tracy mentioned a potential Alec Gamboa/Brayan Bello spot start, but that will be determined by bullpen usage in the days prior … Justin Slaten (right elbow inflammation) played catch Sunday for the first time since being sidelined. That puts him about five days behind Garrett Whitlock (also right elbow inflammation), whom the Red Sox expect back when eligible (Tuesday) or shortly thereafter … The Red Sox have sold out 16 consecutive home games. They had an announced crowd of 36,278 on Sunday … Luke Murray, the new Boston College men’s basketball coach, threw out a ceremonial first pitch … Rafael Devers across three games in his return to Fenway Park: 1 for 10 with a homer, three strikeouts, three walks, and zero appearances as a first baseman.

Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.