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Mickey Gasper Mickey Gasper Expected to miss wild-card round
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 3:53 PM
Gasper will likely miss the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees after suffering a biceps injury during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: The results of Gasper's MRI have not been disclosed, but it sounds like the Red Sox are preparing to be without him for at least the first round of the playoffs. Gasper was injured on a swinging strikeout in the fifth inning of Friday's matinee. Manager Chad Tracy said afterward that Gasper was in "some pretty good discomfort." |
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Ceddanne Rafaela Ceddanne Rafaela On bench again for nightcap
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 3:46 PM
Rafaela remains out of the starting lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
Analysis: Right hamstring tightness forced Rafaela from Wednesday's game -- his very first game back from a right quad strain -- though he was back in the lineup Thursday. He may be dealing with some lingering effects of the hamstring injury. It's also possible the Red Sox are just playing it safe with their playoff seeding now set. |
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Jedixson Paez Jedixson Paez Summoned to majors
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 3:32 PM
The Red Sox recalled Paez from Triple-A Worcester after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs.
Analysis: Paez will be up to provide length out of the bullpen in the nightcap, replacing Raymond Burgos on the active roster. Paez has allowed a whopping 14 runs in 6.2 innings in the majors, but he fared well in five starts with Worcester this season, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB in 21.2 innings. He threw six innings of one-run ball in his most recent Triple-A outing back on Sept. 15. |
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Raymond Burgos Raymond Burgos Sent down Friday
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 3:25 PM
The Red Sox optioned Burgos after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs.
Analysis: Burgos tossed two hitless and scoreless innings in Game 1, fanning three. With MLB not allowing teams to add an extra player for twin bills in September, Boston went ahead and swapped Burgos out for a fresh arm in Jedixson Paez. |
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Mickey Gasper Mickey Gasper Undergoing MRI
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 3:05 PM
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs that Gasper (biceps) will undergo an MRI, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Gasper was forced from the matinee with right biceps discomfort, and the team has ordered imaging to get a better read on his condition. The Red Sox are already facing the possibility of being without Willson Contreras (hand) in the wild-card round, and if both Contreras and Gasper are unavailable, Nick Sogard may be needed at first base. |
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Mickey Gasper Mickey Gasper Leaves with biceps discomfort
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 2:33 PM
Gasper was removed from the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs due to right biceps discomfort, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Gasper has been a surprisingly productive player for Boston this season, slashing .251/.357/.466 with 10 homers in 67 games, but his availability for the rest of the weekend is up in the air in light of this injury. If healthy, Gasper figures to factor in heavily during the wild-card round, especially if Willson Contreras (hand) remains out. |
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Mickey Gasper Mickey Gasper Exits with apparent injury
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 1:47 PM
Gasper was removed from the first game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Cubs after the fifth inning due to an undisclosed injury, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Gasper appeared to tweak something while striking out swinging in the bottom of the fifth inning, and he was removed from the contest when the Red Sox took the field for the top of the sixth. The club should have more information on Gasper's condition soon. He struck out in all three plate appearances Friday before departing. |
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Ceddanne Rafaela Ceddanne Rafaela Sitting out first game of twin bill
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 9:11 AM
Rafaela is not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs.
Analysis: Rafaela didn't have to miss any starts because of a right hamstring cramp that he suffered Wednesday versus the Guardians. Presumably, he's simply resting for the first game Friday and will be back in action for the nightcap. Jarren Duran will play center field for the Red Sox during the afternoon tilt. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Uncertain for wild-card round
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 10:57 PM
Contreras (hand) expressed concern Thursday about his availability for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "I'm working hard with the trainers, the hand is slowly getting better," Contreras said. "But I haven't been able to swing the last two days. I'll be honest with the team. I know Tuesday is a really important game. It's a really important series, and I'll be completely honest with the team."
Analysis: Contreras swung a bat prior to Tuesday's series opener against Cleveland, but he was unable to repeat the exercise Wednesday or Thursday. Additional imaging was done Wednesday, which confirmed there is no fracture in Contreras' right hand, and the Red Sox are still holding out hope that Contreras will improve in the coming days. Boston is expected to face the division-rival Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. |
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Brayan Bello Brayan Bello Set for another start
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 9:21 PM
Bello will start Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Bello will get another turn in the rotation after tossing eight innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits while striking out 11 batters Saturday versus the Rays. The right-handed pitcher has compiled a 2.28 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 46 strikeouts over 51.1 innings in his last 13 appearances with Boston. |
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Alec Gamboa Alec Gamboa Set to operate as opener
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 9:17 PM
Gamboa will operate as the opening pitcher for the Red Sox in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Gamboa will garner his third start of the season, albeit in a non-traditional fashion once again. The southpaw pitcher has produced a 1.16 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 31 innings in 20 appearances, including two starts, with Boston this season. It's unclear who will follow him out of the bullpen as the team's bulk pitcher, but Jake Bennett is a top candidate. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Doesn't expect to play Friday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 8:44 PM
Contreras (hand) still can't swing pain free and doesn't expect to play during Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Contreras was held out of the lineup for a sixth straight contest Thursday night against Cleveland, and he now appears to be set to miss at least two more games Friday. The first baseman is dealing with a bruised right hand, and there's a chance that he won't be able to return to action until the postseason. |
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Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Five strong innings in loss
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 8:42 PM
Suarez (8-5) took the loss Thursday against Cleveland, striking out five while allowing one run on three hits and one walk in five innings.
Analysis: The lone blemish came in the second inning, when Angel Martinez took Suarez yard for a solo homer. The southpaw still looked sharp for the most part in what was effectively a tune-up start ahead of the postseason, and he's now worked at least five innings while yielding fewer than two runs in four straight outings. His regular season ends with a strong 3.22 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 140:46 K:BB over 148.1 innings in his debut season with the Red Sox. |
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Ceddanne Rafaela Ceddanne Rafaela Back in action Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 1:46 PM
Rafaela (hamstring) will start in center field and bat sixth Thursday against the Guardians, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Rafaela made an early exit from Wednesday's contest due to right hamstring tightness. He underwent imaging Thursday that came back negative for a significant injury, and he's seemingly feeling well enough to return to the lineup without missing a start. The 26-year-old went 1-for-1 before leaving Wednesday's game and is batting .277 since the beginning of August. |
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Roman Anthony Roman Anthony Exiting starting lineup
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 1:38 PM
Anthony is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Guardians.
Analysis: It's Anthony's first day off since he returned from the 60-day injured list in late August. The 22-year-old is slashing .242/.294/.432 with four home runs across 22 contests since being activated. Jarren Duran will be in left field for the Red Sox on Thursday, and Mickey Gasper will serve as Boston's designated hitter. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Held out again Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 1:33 PM
Contreras (hand) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Guardians.
Analysis: It marks the sixth straight absence for Contreras, who is working his way back from a bruised right hand. The Red Sox are considering the slugger day-to-day. Nick Sogard will slot in at first base in Contreras' stead on Thursday. |
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Jarren Duran Jarren Duran Reaches 20 steals in win
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 8:57 AM
Duran went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Guardians.
Analysis: Duran singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning and scored the game's lone run. He later singled and stole second base in the eighth, giving the Red Sox a chance to bring in an insurance run. The steal was the 20th of the season for Duran, who has stolen as least 20 bags in four straight seasons. He also joined the 20-homer/20-steal club for the second time in his career. While his .207 batting average has been a drag, Duran's provided legit fantasy value. |
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Ceddanne Rafaela Ceddanne Rafaela Needs imaging on hamstring
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 2:00 AM
Rafaela will undergo an MRI on his right hamstring Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Last year's Gold Glove winner in center field and a first-time All-Star this season, Rafaela left Wednesday's game -- his first game back from a right quad strain -- with right hamstring tightness, and manager Chad Tracy revealed afterward that imaging will be necessary. Jarren Duran figures to take back over in center field until Rafaela receives the green light to return once again. |
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Aroldis Chapman Aroldis Chapman Locks down save No. 35 in return
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 9:07 PM
Chapman (lat) struck out the side to earn the save Wednesday against Cleveland.
Analysis: Chapman last pitched Sept. 13 due to a lat issue, but he showed no signs of rust Wednesday in his return to the mound. The star southpaw has now punched out three in back-to-back outings, last blowing a save June 28 against the Yankees. He has a shiny 1.92 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB with 35 saves in 37 attempts across 51.2 innings. |
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Sonny Gray Sonny Gray Spins six shutout innings in win
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 9:03 PM
Gray (18-5) earned the win Wednesday against Cleveland, striking out three while allowing four hits and one walk in six scoreless innings.
Analysis: Gray scattered four singles on the evening in what was final scheduled appearance of the regular season. The right-hander is heading into the playoffs with a ton of steam, having logged a quality start in four consecutive outings and seven of his last nine. Wednesday put a bow on an excellent regular season, which saw Gray post a 2.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 149:46 K:BB over 169 innings. |
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