When rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a sprained right wrist, it had a domino effect on the Boston Red Sox lineup.
Mayer has mostly been playing second base since All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman returned from his own IL stint two weeks ago. Now, Red Sox manager Alex Cora says that Ceddanne Rafaela (a defensive wizard in centerfield) will be shifting to the infield to be the primary replacement at second base.
Boston called up David Hamilton from Triple-A when Mayer was placed on the IL, so he could be seeing time at the keystone as well. For Friday’s series-opener in what is a crucial three-game home set against the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers though, Rafaela will be lining up in Mayer’s spot.
“Rafaela at second base tonight. Narvaez is off,” MassLive’s Chris Cotillo posted on X. “Duran CF, Bregman 3B, Anthony LF, Story SS, Yoshida DH, Rafaela 2B, Abreu RF, Toro 1B, Wong C.”
Cora explained further how the 2021 fourth overall pick’s injury will impact how he fills out the team’s lineup card every day.
Story continues below advertisement
“While Marcelo Mayer is out, you will see a lot of Rafaela at 2B, Duran in CF, Anthony in LF and Yoshida at DH, Alex Cora acknowledged today,” MLB.com’s Ian Browne posted on X.
Ever since Masataka Yoshida returned from his shoulder injury that cost him the first 93 games of the season, Boston has been shuffling its outfield/designated hitter rotation. Cora has been forced to pick between the likes of Rafaela, Yoshida, rookie Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu.
Story continues below advertisement
Each member of the quintet brings something different to the lineup. Abreu and Rafaela bring elite defense to the team, Anthony has as much potential with the bat as any rookie in the game, Yoshida gives the team another left-handed bat and Duran is always a threat on the bases.
While the loss of Mayer is a tough blow, it’ll allow Cora to get all five of the aforementioned players in the starting nine on a daily basis, if he chooses.
