The Boston Red Sox will be without one of their biggest stars Friday night after giving center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela a scheduled day off for the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Boston announced the lineup change before first pitch, with Eli White taking over in center field and batting ninth as manager Chad Tracy looks to keep Rafaela fresh during a demanding stretch of six games in six days.
Rafaela's absence also comes one day after he was hit on the right hand by a pitch during Thursday's 7-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Initial evaluations showed no structural damage, making the decision a precautionary one rather than an injury-related absence.
The 25-year-old has started 112 of Boston's first 121 games this season while emerging as one of the club's most valuable players. Rafaela enters Friday batting .288 with 16 home runs, 63 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has also been one of baseball's premier defensive center fielders, recording 16 Defensive Runs Saved and 14 Outs Above Average.
Boston hopes the lineup adjustment won't slow its momentum after snapping a five-game losing streak Thursday. Caleb Durbin helped fuel that victory with a three-hit, five-RBI performance, while Adley Rutschman continues settling into the heart of the lineup following his arrival earlier this season.
Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
The Red Sox also continue managing several injuries. Garrett Whitlock was placed on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation before the game, while Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer remain sidelined.
At 65-56, Boston sits third in the American League East, six games behind the first-place New York Yankees. Every game remains important as the Red Sox continue their push toward a postseason berth. Rafaela is expected to return to the lineup during the weekend series if his hand continues responding well.
ALSO SEE:
- MLB Home Run Predictions Today: Best HR Prop Bets for Friday, Aug. 14
- NRFI and YRFI MLB Bets Today: Best First-Inning Predictions for Friday, Aug. 14
