Daily Red Sox Links: Thad Ward, Bryan Mata, Triston Casas

Thad Ward kind of got lost in the shuffle last year with there being no minor-league season, but he is one of the top pitching prospects in the organization. He is also happy to be on his favorite childhood team. (Peter Abraham; Boston Globe)

Speaking of top pitching prospects in the organization, the Red Sox got some bad news on that front as well. Bryan Mata is going to be missing some time with a partially torn UCL. (Trevor Hass; Boston.com)

It’s not all bad news on the farm, though. Triston Casas, who had been out of camp with a non-baseball medical issue, is back. (Chad Jennings; The Athletic)

Eduardo Rodriguez reflects on his first start since last spring and the excitement that came with it. (Lauren Campbell; NESN.com)

Jackie Bradley Jr. has an excellent reason for why he changed his uniform number once he signed with the Brewers. (Justin Leger; NBC Sports Boston)