Overview
- Rafaela started Wednesday at Fenway, made a diving catch on the first batter and singled in the second before grabbing at his right hamstring and exiting before the third inning.
- The team and manager Chad Tracy said the issue was right hamstring tightness and described visible cramping and flexing that prompted the trainer to remove him from the game.
- Boston has scheduled scans, including an MRI, and will monitor Rafaela day to day while Jarren Duran replaced him in center and Nate Eaton was optioned to Triple‑A to clear the roster spot.
- Rafaela had been on the 10‑day injured list since early September with a right quadriceps strain and returned without making minor‑league rehab starts, which raises concern because of the leg injury history.
- With the wild‑card series five days away and other injury questions on the roster, the club is taking a cautious approach that could affect the Red Sox lineup and playoff roster choices.