Overview
- The Red Sox activated Rafaela from the 10-day injured list Wednesday and he exited the game that night before the third inning with reported right hamstring tightness.
- Rafaela made a diving catch early and singled in the second inning but grabbed his right hamstring while rounding first base and was removed after manager Chad Tracy and trainer Brandon Henry checked him.
- Tracy told ESPN he saw Rafaela “continuing to flex” the leg and described cramping in the back of the thigh, and the club said it will monitor him closely with further testing possible.
- Boston had opened a roster spot for Rafaela by optioning Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester earlier that day, and Jarren Duran replaced Rafaela in center field during the game.
- Rafaela is a Gold Glove center fielder having a career-best offensive season, so any absence would complicate Boston’s late‑season lineup and October roster decisions given limited like‑for‑like replacements.