UPDATE: Rafaela was scratched due to lower back tightness. It looks like he’s, at worst, only day-to-day. Manager Chad Tracy expects him to be in the lineup following tomorrow’s off day.
Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela was scratched from Sunday’s lineup ahead of the series finale against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Rafaela had initially been scheduled to bat second and play center field, leaving Boston without one of its most productive two-way players in a lineup already managing several injuries. A reason for the late change was not immediately announced.
Rafaela enters the day batting .275 with five home runs, 23 RBI, six stolen bases and a .770 OPS across 193 at-bats. He has strengthened his offensive profile over the past month, hitting .296 with four home runs, 15 RBI and a .504 slugging percentage over his last 30 games. Rafaela also homered Tuesday against Atlanta before delivering a two-run single in Wednesday’s 8-0 win.
The scratch carries added concern because Rafaela missed a start earlier this month with mild hamstring tightness, returning to the lineup the following day. Boston has not indicated whether Sunday’s absence is related. With Rafaela unavailable, the Red Sox lose their Gold Glove center fielder and a bat that has increasingly settled into a prominent role near the top of the order.
