Boston Red Sox

Willson Contreras

1B

Contreras took batting practice on the field before Tuesday's game against the Angels as the latest step in his recovery from a left hamstring strain. He'd been a candidate to return from the injured list for Friday's series opener against the Royals, but the Sox will instead have him play in a few tune-up games before adding him back to the lineup.

Adley Rutschman

C

It explains why Rutschman is missing a second straight start Wednesday. The catcher suffered a hyperextended elbow in late August and has been dealing with nagging soreness off-and-on since. Tracy said that Rutschman is expected back in the lineup Friday against the Royals following the team's off day Thursday.

Tanner Houck

SP

Houck was understandably rusty in his first game action since July 9, 2025, as just eight of his 20 offerings landed in the zone. The right-hander is next scheduled to pitch Friday and elevate his pitch count to the 40-45 range.

Garrett Crochet

SP

This was Crochet's second side session and first that wasn't exclusively fastballs. Boston manager Chad Tracy was pleased with the session, noting Crochet looked and felt good. The next step has not yet been determined, but the manager mentioned another side session this weekend as a possibility.

Justin Slaten

RP

Slaten last pitched August 12 due to elbow inflammation, and he's experienced recurring symptoms since restarting a throwing program recently. The 28-year-old is likely looking at multiple more weeks before a return. Slaten owns a 4.60 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB across 31.1 innings of relief this season.

Kutter Crawford

SP

The Red Sox announced around the All-Star break that Crawford had resumed playing catch at a distance of approximately 100 feet, but news has been scarce on the right-hander ever since. After his 2025 season came to an early end due to right wrist surgery, Crawford was further set back in the spring by the flu. He opened the season on the injured list and appeared to be in line for just a brief absence, but he was pulled off a rehab assignment in mid-April after experiencing right flexor irritation and experienced renewed tightness in his forearm in early June. Though he's under club control through 2028, he could be a non-tender candidate this winter after having essentially two straight seasons lost to injury.

Johan Oviedo

SP

Oviedo secured a spot on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster, but he missed out on a rotation spot and began the season in the bullpen. He made one 3.2-inning appearance March 30 but hasn't pitched since, as he's been on the shelf for more than five months while recovering from a right flexor strain. Now that he's finally facing hitters again, Oviedo could be close to a rehab assignment. He'll need multiple appearances in the minors to knock off rust, so he may not be a realistic candidate to rejoin the Red Sox bullpen until the final week of September.

Ceddanne Rafaela

CF

Rafaela exited Wednesday's loss to Seattle due to what the Red Sox initially labeled as quad tightness. Though the Red Sox initially had optimism that the 25-year-old could avoid a stint on the IL, he'll end up going on the shelf after he was unable to play in any of the team's last three games. Boston recalled Nate Eaton from Triple-A Worcester to replace Rafaela on the active roster, though Eli White will ikely be the biggest beneficiary in terms of playing time. Since the IL move is retroactive to Thursday, Rafaela could be activated as soon as Sept. 13.

Tyron Guerrero

RP

Guerrero was charged with three runs while recording only one out in Monday's win over the Mariners, and a day later he's now on the IL. The 35-year-old has been a pleasant surprise in the Boston bullpen this season, collecting a 3.26 ERA and 36:7 K:BB over 38.2 frames. It's unclear how much time he might miss.

Eduardo Rivera

SP

The left-hander landed on Worcester's 7-day injured list in late August due to the injury, and his transition to the MLB 60-day IL will bring an end to his 2026 regular season. Rivera made his first four big-league appearances this year and had a 6.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB in 10 innings.

Curtis Mead

3B

Mead ditched his cast last week after follow-up imagining on his fractured left wrist came back negative. He had been performing strength and mobility exercises and has now progressed to light on-field baseball activities. Mead could be ready to return to Boston's active roster around mid-September if all goes well, but he still has lots of rehab boxes to check before making that a reality.

Masataka Yoshida

DH

Yoshida was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to the hamstring strain, with the hope he could return by early September. However, it now appears Yoshida could potentially miss the rest of the regular season. Yoshida is set to get multiple opinions and imaging done in coming days to evaluate his best course of action.

Triston Casas

1B

The Red Sox did not offer a timeline for Casas' recovery, but the procedure undoubtedly will end his season. It's another lost year for Casas, who played only 29 games in 2025 and zero in 2026 due to a ruptured patellar tendon, a left intercostal strain and now a wrist problem. Casas will be eligible for salary arbitration for a second time this offseason.

Zack Kelly

RP

The right-hander landed on the 7-day IL at Worcester in early July due to elbow inflammation, and he'll now be sidelined until at least early September. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but it's possible that Kelly has already thrown his last competitive pitch of the season.