Ceddanne Rafaela returns to Pink Sox, however exits on account of damage
Boston Pink Sox
“When he went again on the market, he stored flexing it, so we stated, let’s go forward and make the change.”
Ceddanne Rafaela returned to the Pink Sox lineup on Wednesday after lacking the final 17 video games on account of a quad pressure.
However his return was short-lived — because the Pink Sox outfielder was pulled from the sport after simply two innings of labor on account of what the group known as proper hamstring tightness.
The 2026 All-Star made a right away affect in Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to Cleveland, robbing leadoff man Steven Kwan of an extra-base hit with a diving catch in middle subject.
However issues went south throughout Rafaela’s first at-bat within the backside of the second inning. After knocking a single to left, he pulled up gingerly after reaching first base — stretching his leg earlier than chatting with each Chad Tracy and coach Brandon Henry.
Rafaela did keep within the recreation and remained on the basepaths within the second, and even began to make his manner again out to middle subject within the high of the third inning. However earlier than the inning might start, Rafaela was pulled out of the sport by each Tracy and Henry.
“Simply noticed him persevering with to flex it. That’s all. He appeared to have felt some cramping within the again there,” Tracy advised ESPN’s Buster Olney on the published. “When he went again on the market, he stored flexing it, so we stated, let’s go forward and make the change.”
Talking after Boston’s 1-0 win over Cleveland, Tracy stated that Rafaela will bear an MRI on Thursday. However Rafaela didn’t sound alarmed over the damage, particularly when in comparison with the quad damage that sidelined him for round three weeks.
“Clearly, each time I get pulled out of the sport, I’m not pleased, however hopefully it’s simply one thing that’s possibly simply in the present day or [Thursday] and go from there,” Rafaela advised reporters, together with MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Rafaela had been on the injured listing since Sept. 6 earlier than getting the inexperienced mild to play on Wednesday.
An damage setback for Rafaela can be disastrous for the Pink Sox, particularly with a possible three-game playoff collection with the Yankees set to start on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old outfielder is without doubt one of the high defensive difference-makers in baseball out in middle — and entered Wednesday batting .282 with 16 residence runs and 70 RBI whereas swiping 17 bases.
“He’s an enormous piece of this, on each side of the ball,” Tracy stated pregame, per Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. “Heck of an offensive season. We’re all effectively conscious of his capabilities as a defender in middle subject. And he alters the sport. He can run. He can change your recreation in so some ways. Having him again is big.
“Now [it] simply turns into: Get him on the market, try his gait, verify in with him continuously.”
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