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Payton Tolle Payton Tolle No-decision in final regular-season start
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 9:06 AM
Tolle did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.
Analysis: In what will be Tolle's final start of the regular season, the hard-throwing southpaw ended up tossing 91 pitches (63 strikes) and generating 10 whiffs while falling one out short from a quality start. The eight hits allowed were one short of a season high he's set twice before, though he extended his streak of five-plus strikeouts to six. Tolle didn't initially make the Red Sox's 26-man roster at the end of spring training but was quickly promoted from Triple-A Worcester in late April and stayed with the big club from there. He'll end the regular season with a 9-6 record over 26 starts with a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 171:40 K:BB over 148.2 innings. Tolle is in line to start in Game 1 of the American League wild-card round, which is currently slated for next week on the road against the Yankees. |
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Curtis Mead Curtis Mead Long shot to play in postseason
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 8:20 AM
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy indicated Tuesday that Mead (wrist) is a long shot to be available for the postseason, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Mead has been sidelined for almost two months with a fractured left wrist that he suffered in his second plate appearance after joining the Red Sox. He began hitting off a tee last week, but his overall progress has been slow and it seems he's likely to run out of time. Mead is under team control through the 2030 campaign. |
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Mickey Gasper Mickey Gasper Homers as pinch hitter
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 6:27 AM
Gasper entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and swatted a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Cleveland.
Analysis: Gasper tied the game at 2-2 and remained in the contest as the DH. His bat has quieted down following a power surge (1.000 SLG) that saw him hit eight home runs over a 16-game stretch from mid-August to Sept. 4. In the 14 subsequent games, Gasper has gone 5-for-33 and slugged .333. |
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Nick Sogard Nick Sogard Makes fourth straight start at 1B
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 6:21 AM
Sogard started at first base and went 2-for-5 with a double in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians.
Analysis: Sogard filled in at first base for a fourth consecutive game while Willson Contreras tends to a right hand injury. With Boston having clinched a playoff spot, the team does not have to rush Contreras back, although it would like to see him on the field and swing a bat before the postseason begins. Sogard has gone 3-for-18 during his time filling in. |
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Ceddanne Rafaela Ceddanne Rafaela Expected back Wednesday
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:11 PM
Rafaela (quad) is expected to be activated from the injured list Wednesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Rafaela has been on the injured list since Sept. 6 with a right quad strain and began rehabbing at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. He never appeared in a rehab game with the WooSox but has been hitting against a Trajekt machine, and the Red Sox now believe he's ready to return and use their final five regular-season games to get back into a rhythm before the postseason. |
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Trevor Story Trevor Story Not starting Tuesday
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 3:06 PM
Story is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Fresh off clinching a spot in the playoffs Sunday, the Red Sox will give Story a day off after starting the previous 15 games. The veteran shortstop posted a .799 OPS during that span and could carry a hot bat into the postseason. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is starting at shortstop and batting eighth Tuesday for Boston. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Remaining on bench Tuesday
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 2:56 PM
Contreras (hand) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: It's the fourth straight absence due to a bruised right hand for Contreras, and there's no reason for the Red Sox to rush him back into action since their playoff seeding is all but set. Nick Sogard will receive another start at first base Tuesday for Boston. |
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Garrett Crochet Garrett Crochet Throws live BP
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 2:44 PM
Crochet (lat) threw a 16-pitch session of live batting practice Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The left-hander touched 96 mph and received good feedback, but how he recovers Wednesday will likely be what dictates next steps. Crochet has been on the shelf since late April due to a lat strain and could be a key bullpen weapon for the Red Sox during the playoffs if he can quickly find his form. |
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Eli White Eli White Undergoes foot surgery
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 1:54 PM
White underwent Lisfranc surgery on his right foot Tuesday.
Analysis: White hasn't played in nearly two weeks, and the decision was made to have surgery after consultations. There's no word on how long his rehab will take, but White's season is over and there's a decent chance he's non-tendered this winter. |
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Patrick Sandoval Patrick Sandoval One bad frame in loss
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 5:25 PM
Sandoval (1-7) took the loss against the Rays on Sunday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over seven innings.
Analysis: Sandoval was tagged for four runs in the first inning but still managed a season-high seven frames, throwing 69 of 94 pitches for strikes with 14 whiffs. It goes down as the southpaw's fifth straight loss, and he's yielded at least four runs in each of his four September outings. He owns a 5.15 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 67:31 K:BB across 64.2 innings this year and will make his final start of the regular season at home against the Cubs next weekend. |
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Trevor Story Trevor Story Homers, extends hit streak in loss
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 5:05 PM
Story went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Rays.
Analysis: Story provided the club's only offense with a solo home run in the ninth inning. The veteran shortstop has now hit safely in 11 straight games, and he's batting .338 overall in 19 games since returning from the injured list Aug. 30. On the year, he's slashing .247/.278/.368 with five homers, 29 RBI, 24 runs scored and five steals across 252 plate appearances. |
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Wyatt Olds Wyatt Olds Sent to Worcester
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 10:10 AM
Boston optioned Olds to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
Analysis: Olds spent just under three weeks with the big-league club before being demoted Sunday. Through 13 games, the 26-year-old has posted a 1.20 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 15 innings. Boston reinstated Tyron Guerrero (shoulder) from the 15-day IL, forcing Olds off the active roster. |
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Tyron Guerrero Tyron Guerrero Returns to Boston
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 10:07 AM
The Red Sox activated Guerrero (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, per Ian Browne of MLB.com.
Analysis: Guerrero will return to the big-league club after being sidelined since Sept. 1. Through 38 games this season, the 35-year-old owns a 3.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 36:7 K:BB over 38.2 innings. Boston optioned Wyatt Olds to Triple-A Worcester to make room for Guerrero on the active roster. |
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Garrett Crochet Garrett Crochet Tosses another side session
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 9:52 AM
Crochet (shoulder) threw a two-inning side session Saturday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Crochet continues to build up side sessions with hope he can help the Red Sox as a reliever over the final week of the regular season. If there are no ill effects from Saturday's session, the Red Sox want the left-hander to face hitters at Fenway Park early this week in advance of a potential return during the team's six-game homestand that wraps up the regular season. |
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Tanner Houck Tanner Houck Makes final rehab start
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 9:45 AM
Houck (elbow) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking two over 3.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.
Analysis: This was Houck's fourth and final rehab outing, and he could rejoin the team next week. There isn't enough time for Houck to build up as a starter, but he could be an option out of the bullpen during the team's six-game homestand to wrap up the regular season |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Sitting again Sunday
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 9:17 AM
Contreras (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: It's the third consecutive absence for Contreras after exiting Thursday's contest against the Rangers with a bruised right hand from a hit-by-pitch. The veteran slugger will have Monday's team off day to aid in his recovery ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus Cleveland. Nick Sogard is picking up another start at first base Sunday for the Red Sox. |
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Wilyer Abreu Wilyer Abreu Idle Sunday
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 9:16 AM
Abreu is out of the lineup for Boston's matchup with Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Analysis: Abreu will take a breather after striking out five times through the first two games of the series against the Rays. Nate Eaton will start in right field and bat ninth for the Red Sox. |
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Brayan Bello Brayan Bello Ties career high with 11 strikeouts
Sat, Sep 19, 2026, 9:27 PM
Bello didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Rays, allowing one run on five hits over eight innings. He struck out 11 without walking a batter.
Analysis: The right-hander did everything he could to try and help Boston clinch a playoff spot, tying his career high with 11 Ks while firing 65 of 93 pitches for strikes. Bello has been impressive since returning to the big-league staff just before the All-Star break, and over his last 51.1 innings and 13 appearances (two starts) he's delivered a 2.28 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 46:11 K:BB. He lines up to make one more start in the regular season, at home next weekend against the Cubs, and another strong showing could earn Bello a spot in the Red Sox's postseason rotation plans. |
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Payton Tolle Payton Tolle Pushed back to next week
Sat, Sep 19, 2026, 5:42 PM
Tolle no longer appears in line for a start this weekend in Tampa Bay, as the Red Sox are listing Patrick Sandoval as their probable starter for Sunday's game.
Analysis: As Rob Bradford of WEEI.com points out, Boston appears to be lining Tolle up to start Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. It's a tough blow for Tolle's fantasy managers, as they will take a zero from the lefty this week. He struck out seven over six scoreless innings against Kansas City in his last start Sept. 13, lowering his ERA to 3.02 over 143 innings this season. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Out again Saturday
Sat, Sep 19, 2026, 11:34 AM
Contreras (hand) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analysis: Contreras will miss a second consecutive start after leaving Thursday's contest with a bruised right hand. Nick Sogard will slide over to first base while Contreras sits, giving Isiah Kiner-Falefa a start at second. |
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