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Masataka Yoshida Unlikely to Return in 2027
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida does not fit the team's current roster and "looks like a goner" for next season after another subpar season in 2026, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Yoshida is due $18 million next season. If the Red Sox cannot find a taker via a trade, they could cut him outright after he hit .274/.347/.399 with a .746 OPS, only five home runs, 28 RBI, 34 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 87 games and 297 plate appearances in his fourth year in the majors. The 33-year-old Japanese native battled injuries and has essentially become a designated hitter only, limiting the options he gives Boston in terms of lineup construction. The Red Sox would prefer to get something back for Yoshida, but if they cannot find any takers this offseason, he could be a cut candidate and find himself on the open market. The left-handed hitter makes a lot of contact and has a .280 batting average in his four MLB seasons, but his lack of power and defensive versatility make him a player to ignore in most fantasy baseball leagues going into the 2027 season.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Ceddanne Rafaela Wins Second Straight Gold Glove Award in Center Field
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela won his second career Gold Glove Award in center field for the 2026 season, according to MLB.com's Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru. Rafaela took home the hardware for a second straight season after ranking second among outfielders in outs above average (16) while tying for third overall in defensive runs saved (21). He also became the first player to win back-to-back awards in center field in the American League since Kevin Kiermaier in 2015 and 2016. The other Gold Glove winners in the AL this year were Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler, Astros first baseman Christian Walker, Mariners second baseman Cole Young, Rays shortstop Taylor Walls, Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin, Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger, Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu, Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee, and Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran. Abreu has won the award three straight seasons in right field with the Red Sox. The 26-year-old Rafaela was also a first-time All-Star in his fourth year in the league while slashing .283/.319/.442 with a career-high .761 OPS. He matched his previous career high of 16 home runs while also driving in 70 runs and stealing 17 bases in 138 regular-season games.
Source: MLB.com - Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru
Source: MLB.com - Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru
Roman Anthony Likely to Avoid Surgery
Boston Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow said that outfielder Roman Anthony (hand) "likely doesn't need surgery," per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Anthony strained multiple muscles in his right hand during Game 1 of Boston's American League Wild Card Series loss to the New York Yankees. 2026 was largely lost to injury for Anthony, who missed a large chunk of the regular season after tearing the ligament that connects his right index finger to his wrist in early May. Given that his right hand/wrist appears to be giving him persistent issues, Anthony's health should be of at least some concern for fantasy managers going into 2027. The 22-year-old remains a potentially high-upside bat, but he will need to prove he can avoid injuries for an extended stretch.
Source: MassLive - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive - Chris Cotillo
Roman Anthony has "New Strains," Being Removed From Playoff Roster
The Boston Red Sox are removing outfielder Roman Anthony (hand) from the Wild-Card Series roster against the division-rival New York Yankees after he sustained "new strains to different muscles" in his right hand, manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The team sent Anthony back to Boston on Tuesday night to get an MRI exam on Wednesday. Anthony will not be with the Red Sox for the remainder of the Wild-Card Series in the Bronx this week and is out for the foreseeable future. If the BoSox come back to beat the Yankees in the three-game series, it seems unlikely that he would be available for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Nate Eaton is starting in left field for Boston on Wednesday in Game 2 of the series against Yankees left-hander Max Fried with Anthony hurt again. The 22-year-old former top prospect has become injury-prone early on in his MLB career, as he also ended last year on the injured list. Anthony played in just 55 games for the Red Sox in 2026, slashing .245/.339/.396 with five home runs, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 242 plate appearances.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Roman Anthony Leaves Early With Hand Injury on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (hand) left Game 1 of the Wild-Card Series early on Tuesday night against the division-rival New York Yankees because his hand "flared on him" during a check swing, manager Chad Tracy told Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Before leaving the eventual 9-0 loss at Yankee Stadium, Anthony went 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts as the designated hitter and leadoff hitter for Boston. He was replaced at DH by Andruw Monasterio. This is not what Red Sox fans want to hear, as Anthony missed almost four months during the regular season with an injury to the same hand/wrist. For now, we will consider him day-to-day and check back on Wednesday to see if he is back in the lineup for a must-win Game 2 of the Wild-Card Series against Yankees left-hander Max Fried. Anthony, a former top outfield prospect, only managed to play in 55 games in his first full season in the big leagues, and he hit .245 (52-for-212) with five home runs, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 242 plate appearances.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Ceddanne Rafaela Back in Boston's Lineup
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (hamstring) is starting in center field and batting sixth for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Daniel Espino, according to MLB.com. Rafaela returned from a stay on the injured list due to a quadriceps injury but was pulled on Wednesday night against the Guardians with tightness in his hamstring. An MRI exam on Thursday morning apparently ruled out anything concerning, and the power/speed threat and starting center fielder is back in action for the final game of the series at Fenway Park. It is great news for the Red Sox, who did not want to head into the start of the postseason next week without their starting center fielder. The 26-year-old will now have four games to try to set a new career-high mark in home runs, as he enters Thursday's action with 16 homers, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 67 runs scored, and a .284/.319/.444 slash line in 536 at-bats this year. Rafaela was a first-time All-Star this year in his third full season in the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ceddanne Rafaela Undergoing MRI Exam on his Hamstring
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (hamstring) is undergoing an MRI exam on Thursday on his injured right hamstring, manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. In his return from a quadriceps injury on Wednesday that had landed him on the injured list, Rafaela was pulled from the contest against the Cleveland Guardians with tightness in his right hamstring. The Red Sox are hoping it was just a cramping issue, but we will know for sure at some point on Thursday. Fantasy managers should not expect the starting center fielder to be back in action for Thursday's series finale against the Guardians at Fenway Park, but hopefully Rafaela will be ready to return for Friday's series opener against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2026 and is currently slashing a healthy .284/.319/.444 with a .763 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across his 136 games played. If Rafaela can return before the end of the weekend, he will have a chance to set a new career high in home runs.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Ceddanne Rafaela Leaves Early Wednesday With Hamstring Tightness
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (hamstring) left Wednesday's game early against the Cleveland Guardians due to tightness in his right hamstring, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Before Rafaela was replaced in center field by Jarren Duran, he went 1-for-1 at the plate in his first game back from a stay on the 10-day injured list this month due to a right-quadriceps injury. The Red Sox initially reported that Rafaela left the game at Fenway Park due to cramping, so hopefully it is nothing serious with the playoffs set to start next week. The 26-year-old's next chance to return to the starting lineup will be for Thursday's series finale against Cleveland. If Rafaela cannot finish out the final week of the 2026 regular season, he could be up in the air for the wild-card series next week against the division-rival New York Yankees. He was an All-Star for the first time this year and came into Wednesday's tilt hitting a nice .282/.317/.443 with a .760 OPS, career-high-tying 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 steals, and 67 runs scored across 135 games played and 569 plate appearances in his third full season in the majors.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Ceddanne Rafaela Activated and Starting on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and is in the starting lineup against the visiting Cleveland Guardians and left-hander Foster Griffin, starting in center field and batting sixth, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Rafaela is back for the tail end of the 2026 regular season after landing on the IL earlier this month with a strained right quad muscle. He did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, but instead took at-bats off a Trajekt machine. The Red Sox are hoping he will get enough at-bats in through the rest of the week to get him back up to speed for the start of the wild-card series next week against the division-rival New York Yankees. Rafaela is returning to a strong .282/.317/.443 slash line with a .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored in his 535 at-bats this year. Boston is a much scarier team with their starting center fielder and power/speed threat back in time for the postseason.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Ceddanne Rafaela Set to Return From Injured List on Wednesday
The Boston Red Sox plan to activate second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Rafaela should be back in the starting lineup for Boston in Game 2 of the series against the Cleveland Guardians. He has been out since Sept. 6 with a strained right quad but did not play in a minor-league rehab game. The 26-year-old continues to contribute across most fantasy baseball categories, but he could be a little rusty upon his return to the big leagues as the Red Sox try to get him going again before the wild-card series against the division-rival New York Yankees begins next week. Rafaela made the All-Star team for the first time in his career in 2026 and will return to a nice .282/.317/.443 slash line, a career-high .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across 135 games played. If Rafaela hits a home run by the end of the weekend, he will have a new career high in home runs in his fourth year in the majors.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Chad Tracy Becomes Full-Time Manager, Lands Three-Year Contract
The Boston Red Sox named Chad Tracy as their full-time manager on Tuesday by signing him to a three-year contract with a club option for the 2030 season, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. The Red Sox also announced that they exercised chief baseball officer Craig Breslow's 2029 and 2030 options. Tracy is the 49th manager in Red Sox history after taking over on April 25 when Breslow fired Alex Cora. Boston was 10-17 at that point. With Tracy as the skipper, Boston has gone 74-55 and clinched a spot in the 2026 playoffs on Sunday. Tracy started 32-46 as the team entered play on June 25, but they turned in a 20-3 stretch that vaulted them into wild-card position. That insane stretch included 15 straight wins from July 3 through July 22, which tied for the longest win streak in club history. The Red Sox are currently in possession of the second American League wild-card spot and are likely to face the division-rival New York Yankees in the AL wild-card round for the second straight season at Yankee Stadium.
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Ceddanne Rafaela Hitting Off Trajekt Machine
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) is with the Triple-A Worcester Woo Sox on Thursday and will hit off a Trajekt machine as he recovers from a strained right quad that landed him on the 10-day injured list, according to Tommy Cassell of TGS Sports. Rafaela has been sidelined for over two weeks, so the Red Sox may want him to play in a few minor-league rehab games before the minor-league season comes to an end soon. It is unclear exactly when Rafaela might return to the BoSox's major-league lineup as they continue to battle for a wild-card playoff spot down the stretch. Despite the 25-year-old's late-season injury, he is still rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues in the midst of his first All-Star season. When Rafaela returns, he will be coming back to a nice .282/.317/.443 slash line with a .760 OPS, a career-high-tying 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across his 135 games and 569 plate appearances in 2026.
Source: TGS Sports - Tommy Cassell
Source: TGS Sports - Tommy Cassell
Ceddanne Rafaela Absent Again on Saturday
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) remains out of the starting lineup for the game on Saturday on the road against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, per MLB.com. Eli White is making another start in center field and will bat eighth against Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt. This will be the third straight game that Rafaela has missed due to soreness in his quad muscle that is not considered serious. He is considered day-to-day, and hopefully he will return to the starting nine for the series finale in Baltimore on Sunday. Fantasy managers will want to check back then. The 25-year-old native of Curaçao is having a strong season in his fourth year in the majors with Boston, being named to his first All-Star squad while hitting .282/.317/.443 with a .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across 135 games and 569 plate appearances. Rafaela needs just one home run, six RBI, and four stolen bases to set career highs in all of those categories in 2026.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ceddanne Rafaela Still Out on Friday
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) remains out of the starting lineup for the contest on Friday against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, per MLB.com. Eli White will make another start in center field for the BoSox and will bat ninth against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz. It will be the second straight game that Rafaela will sit out after he was pulled from Wednesday's tilt against the Seattle Mariners early with tightness in his quad muscle. Rafaela is being considered day-to-day for now, and he could return for Game 3 of a four-game series in Baltimore on Saturday. Fantasy managers will want to check back then. The 25-year-old from Curaçao is on the verge of his first 20-20 campaign in the big leagues this year, as he is currently slashing .282/.317/.443 with a .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored in his 135 games and 569 plate appearances. Rafaela has been pretty consistent each month of the season and is a must-start in all fantasy formats when active for his contributions across the board in all categories.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ceddanne Rafaela Sitting With Quad Injury
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) is out of the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. Rafaela will sit out at least one game after he was pulled in the seventh inning in Wednesday's contest with tightness in his quad muscle. For now, fantasy managers should consider the young outfielder to be day-to-day and check back on him to see if he is available for Game 2 of the series in Baltimore on Friday. Eli White will make the start in center field for the BoSox and will bat eighth against Orioles right-hander Brandon Young. The 25-year-old Rafaela has been a must-start in fantasy leagues as a first-time All-Star in 2026, as he entered Thursday's tilt with a .282/.317/.443 slash line with a career-best .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across 135 games and 569 plate appearances. Rafaela has been just as solid so far in the second half of 2026, hitting .285 (55-for-195) with eight homers, 10 doubles, 31 RBI, 26 runs scored, and five steals in 45 games. Hopefully, he will be back in Boston's lineup on Friday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
