High prospect Ceddanne Rafaela has discovered restricted enjoying time with the Crimson Sox since being referred to as up on the finish of August regardless of an general sturdy efficiency on the plate within the majors to this point, going 7-for-16 with two doubles. When requested about Rafaela’s enjoying time, supervisor Alex Cora instructed reporters (together with MassLive’s Chris Cotillo) that Rafaela will proceed to play in a reserve position so long as the membership stays within the playoff race.
Whereas the playoff odds at Fangraphs give the Crimson Sox only a 1.3% probability to make the postseason after tonight’s loss to Baltimore, Boston nonetheless has three video games to go towards every of the 2 golf equipment instantly forward of them within the standings, Texas and Toronto. That provides them a slim opening for a miracle run regardless of being a whopping seven video games again of the ultimate AL Wild Card spot with simply three weeks to go within the common season. With Rafaela’s first style of on a regular basis motion within the large leagues on maintain in the meanwhile, the versatile teenager figures to share time at second base with Enmanuel Valdez whereas additionally providing backup choices to Trevor Story at shortstop and Adam Duvall in heart area.
Extra from the AL East…
Rays infielder Isaac Paredes exited at present’s recreation after being hit within the hand by a pitch from right-hander Luke Weaver through the fifth inning of at present’s recreation towards the Mariners. Luckily for Tampa, x-rays on Paredes’s hand got here again detrimental and the 24-year-old third baseman was identified with a hand contusion. Supervisor Kevin Money indicated to reporters (together with these at MLB.com) that Paredes received’t be in tomorrow’s beginning lineup and is day-to-day, however could possibly be out there off the bench if obligatory. It’s been a breakout marketing campaign for Paredes in 2023, because the teenager has slashed a unbelievable .253/.352/.502 in 497 journeys to the plate this season. 22-year-old rookie Osleivis Basabe figures to take over on the scorching nook whereas Parades is out of motion.
The Blue Jays might welcome again right-hander Erik Swanson within the close to future. The righty has been out because of thoracic backbone irritation since late August, and he’ll attain the minimal 15 days spent on the IL tomorrow. Swanson made a rehab look with Triple-A Buffalo this night, and notched one strikeout with out permitting a baserunner throughout his inning of labor. Assuming he bounces again from tonight’s outing properly, MLB.com notes that Swanson might return to the massive league membership with out requiring one other rehab look. That’s nice information for the Blue Jays, as Swanson was maybe their most dependable set-up man for nearer Jordan Romano earlier than he went on the shelf. In 58 innings of labor this season, Swanson sports activities a 3.10 ERA, 3.28 FIP, and a 29.4% strikeout charge. He figures to kind a deadly three-headed-monster behind the Toronto bullpen alongside Romano and deadline addition Jordan Hicks ought to the Blue Jays make it to the postseason.
