Overview
- Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Chapman was unavailable Thursday because of lat tightness and the club will be conservative with his use going forward.
- Left-hander Garrett Whitlock closed that 4-3 win in Texas and recorded the save after Chapman did not enter the ninth inning.
- Chapman has had only spotty work since Labor Day and did not pitch in Thursday’s game as the staff monitors his recovery.
- First baseman Willson Contreras left Thursday’s game with a bruised right hand, has negative X-rays, and is listed day-to-day.
- Boston’s multi-game cushion in the wild-card race lets the club rest key players late and lean on bullpen depth while protecting rotation and late-inning arms for the playoffs.