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Jahmai Jones Jahmai Jones Making first start for Boston
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 12:13 PM
Jones is in the starting lineup for the first time in his tenure with Boston against Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Analysis: After being traded by Detroit to Boston on Wednesday, Jones will start for the first time with his new team on Saturday. With Detroit, the 28-year-old slashed .135/.217/.219 with two homers and seven RBI in 105 plate appearances. Jones will bat eighth and play left field against Tampa Bay on Saturday. |
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Jarren Duran Jarren Duran Idle Thursday
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 12:09 PM
Duran is out of the lineup Saturday against Tampa Bay.
Analysis: The left-handed hitting Duran will ride the pine for Saturday's matinee against the Rays, with left-hander Ian Seymour taking the mound. Jahmai Jones will take over in left field for Duran and bat eighth for Boston. |
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Justin Slaten Justin Slaten Earns fourth straight hold
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 9:18 AM
Slaten struck out one and walked none over a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Boston's 5-3 win over Tampa Bay in the second game of Friday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Slaten held the lead for Aroldis Chapman to pick up the save. The former had a bumpy ride during the month of June (10.13 ERA) but appears to have stablized in July. Slaten earned a hold in his fourth consecutive appearance and remains a vital part of the setup crew along with Garrett Whitlock. Both relievers were considered potential closer fill-ins for Chapman when the Red Sox were projected to be sellers at the trade deadline, but Friday's doubleheader sweep of the Rays extended Boston's win streak to 11 straight and put them in a tie for the final wild-card spot. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Cracks solo homer in return
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 9:09 PM
Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Boston's 5-3 win over Tampa Bay in the second game of Friday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Contreras was in the lineup for the second game of Friday's twin bill after serving his five-game suspension. He didn't take long to make an impact, smacking a solo homer off Mason Englert in the first inning to the Red Sox a 3-2 lead. It was the 21st long ball of the season for Contreras, which leads the Red Sox and is tied for seventh-most in the American League. He's also up to a .925 OPS (over 368 plate appearances), which ranks fourth in the AL. |
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Aroldis Chapman Aroldis Chapman Fans two for 20th save
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 9:03 PM
Chapman earned the save in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: The Red Sox captured a 10-0 victory in the first game of Friday's doubleheader, but Chapman was needed in the nightcap to protect Boston's 5-3 lead in the ninth. The veteran southpaw shut the door on Tampa Bay with relative ease, needing just 13 pitches (11 strikes) to get through the inning while fanning two batters in the process. Chapman is up to 20 saves on the season (seventh-most in the majors) and has a 2.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 29.2 innings this season. |
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Eduardo Rivera Eduardo Rivera Runs up pitch count in Game 2
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 8:56 PM
Rivera did not factor into the decision of the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across 2.1 innings.
Analysis: Rivera was given the nod to start in the second game of Friday's twin bill after a solid spot start against the Mets this past Saturday. He wasn't quite as good against Tampa Bay, as he gave up two runs in the first inning before yielding a solo homer to Junior Caminero in the third. Rivera ended up running his pitch count up to 64, resulting in the Red Sox relying on their bullpen the rest of the way. Ranger Suarez (groin) is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list during Boston's upcoming series against Baltimore, so Rivera will likely head back to Triple-Worcester if such a move occurs. |
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Wilyer Abreu Wilyer Abreu Belts two homers in nightcap
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 8:47 PM
Abreu went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI during the Red Sox's 5-3 win over the Rays in the second game of Friday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Abreu went 1-for-4 with a walk in the first game -- a 10-0 win for Boston -- but he had much more impact in the second contest. He tied things up with a two-run homer in the first inning before giving the Red Sox the lead for good in the third with a solo shot. It was the first multi-homer game of the season for Abreu and first since July 20, 2025 against the Cubs. He has a .777 OPS with 13 home runs, 46 RBI and six steals over 409 plate appearances this season. |
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Alec Gamboa Alec Gamboa Nabs three-inning save Friday
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 4:48 PM
Gamboa recorded his first career big-league save in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.
Analysis: Called back up from Triple-A Worcester as the 27th man for the twin bill, Gamboa took the mound with a 9-0 lead and completed a combined shutout begun by Jake Bennett. Gamboa has been effective in his opportunities for the Red Sox this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB in eight innings over five appearances since making his MLB debut on May 5, but after throwing 43 pitches (33 strikes) he'll likely head back to Triple-A in favor of a fresh bullpen arm after the doubleheader. |
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Jake Bennett Jake Bennett Dazzles in Friday's matinee
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 4:43 PM
Bennett (5-3) picked up the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, scattering one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Tampa Bay never got a runner into scoring position against the rookie southpaw, as Bennett tossed an extremely efficient 65 pitches (42 strikes) before being lifted with Boston comfortably ahead 9-0 to begin the seventh inning. Bennett has delivered five straight quality starts dating back to June 22, a stretch in which he sports an astounding 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB over 33 innings. He'll look to stay dialed in for his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Orioles. |
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Carlos Narvaez Carlos Narvaez Rare offense in win
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 4:24 PM
Narvaez went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in a 10-0 victory over the Rays in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Narvaez had a couple of run-scoring singles before putting the final touch on the win with a seventh-inning homer to make it 10-0. The homer was his third of the season and first since April 28. It was rare offense from the catcher, who entered the contest with a .188 average and just six RBI over 53 games. |
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Masataka Yoshida Masataka Yoshida Contributes to win
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 3:56 PM
Yoshida went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in a 10-0 win over Tampa Bay in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Yoshida jumped on the first pitch he saw in the fourth inning -- a sinker that didn't sink -- and curled it inside the foul pole down the right-field line. It was his fourth homer of the season and third in the last nine contests. Yoshida has hit safely in his last seven starts, going 13-for-29 (.448) with four doubles, three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored during that stretch. He's not an everyday starter but is finding regular work at designated hitter against right-handers. |
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Caleb Durbin Caleb Durbin Stays hot out of break
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 3:37 PM
Durbin went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a 10-0 win over the Rays in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.
Analysis: He also got hit by a pitch. Durbin continues to wield a hot stick, posting a third multi-hit game over his last six contests. He entered Friday's matinee on a roll with a .325 batting average (26-for-80), five doubles, six home runs, 13 RBI, five steals and 17 runs scored over his previous 23 games. |
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Tanner Houck Tanner Houck Throwing bullpens
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 3:28 PM
Houck (elbow) has started throwing two bullpen sessions per week, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Houck has begun ramping up and hopes to pitch before the end of the regular season. It's unlikely the Red Sox will use him as a starter, so any rehab assignment would resemble that of a relief pitcher. The right-hander has been sidelined since last August, when he underwent hybrid reconstruction surgery on his right UCL. |
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Patrick Sandoval Patrick Sandoval Awarded another start
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 2:09 PM
Sandoval will start Saturday's game against the Rays in Boston.
Analysis: Sandoval will receive a second turn through the rotation after pitching well in his return from the 60-day injured list and in his Red Sox debut July 9, when he struck out five while allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk across 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox. The veteran southpaw may need another strong showing against the Rays to ensure he sticks in the rotation on a longer-term basis, as the Red Sox may not have a spot available for him once both Ranger Suarez (groin) and Connelly Early (elbow) return from the injured list. |
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Johan Oviedo Johan Oviedo Set for bullpen session
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 1:34 PM
Oviedo (elbow) will throw a bullpen session next week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Oviedo has been shelved since April 3 due to a right flexor strain and remains on the 60-day injured list. He's likely still several weeks away from returning to the mound for Boston, although his rehab could be accelerated if he's ticketed for a bullpen role rather than the rotation. |
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Marcelo Mayer Marcelo Mayer Remains without firm timetable
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 1:24 PM
Interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Mayer (forearm) remains shut down from swinging a bat and will undergo new imaging next week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Mayer hasn't played since June 25 due to a stress reaction in his forearm. "[Isiah Kiner-Falefa] and [Mayer] are due for X-rays and to see a hand specialist next week, probably Monday or Tuesday," Tracy said. "We'll have a better idea of how they're healing once they do that." Anthony Seigler, Tsung-Che Cheng, Andruw Monasterio and Romy Gonzalez should continue to see increased playing time while both infielders are out. |
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Isiah Kiner-Falefa Isiah Kiner-Falefa Still not swinging bat
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 1:22 PM
Interim Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Kiner-Falefa (forearm) remains shut down from swinging a bat and will undergo new imaging next week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Kiner-Falefa hasn't played since June 18 due to a stress reaction in his left forearm. "IKF and [Marcelo Mayer] are due for X-rays and to see a hand specialist next week, probably Monday or Tuesday," Tracy said. "We'll have a better idea of how they're healing once they do that." Tsung-Che Cheng, Anthony Seigler, Andruw Monasterio and Romy Gonzalez should continue to see increased playing time while both Kiner-Falefa and Mayer are out. |
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Connelly Early Connelly Early Begins throwing program
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 12:11 PM
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Thursday that Early (elbow) started a throwing program earlier this week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: After a brief shutdown following his placement on the injured list July 1 due to left elbow inflammation, Early has begun ramping up. The left-hander will throw off flat ground out to 75 feet Friday before increasing his distance to 90 feet Saturday. Early will likely require a rehab assignment before he eventually makes his return from the 15-day IL. |
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Eduardo Rivera Eduardo Rivera Starting second game of twin bill
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 11:33 AM
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that Rivera will start the second game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Rays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Rivera fared well in a spot start last weekend against the Mets, tossing 3.2 shutout frames. The lefty has been used mostly as a multi-inning reliever in 2026, as the 64 pitches he threw versus the Mets were his most since mid-April. Rivera should be capable of stretching out to around 70-to-75 pitches Friday, if needed. |
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Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Could be activated Tuesday
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 11:13 AM
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Suarez (groin) could be activated from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Tuesday to start against the Orioles that night, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Suarez was diagnosed with a left groin strain after exiting a July 5 start against the Angels, resulting him going on the IL and missing out on pitching in the All-Star Game. The southpaw's recovery from the injury seems to have gone smoothly, and barring any setbacks over the weekend, he'll be lined up to take the ball for Boston's sixth game out of the All-Star break. Suarez posted a superb 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 97:26 K:BB across 91.1 innings over his 17 starts in the first half. |
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