Prime prospect Ceddanne Rafaela has discovered restricted taking part in time with the Purple Sox since being referred to as up on the finish of August regardless of an general robust efficiency on the plate within the majors up to now, going 7-for-16 with two doubles. When requested about Rafaela’s taking part in 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 Purple Sox only a 1.3% likelihood to make the postseason after tonight’s loss to Baltimore, Boston nonetheless has three video games to go in opposition to every of the 2 golf equipment straight forward of them within the standings, Texas and Toronto. That offers 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 massive leagues on maintain in the meanwhile, the versatile teen 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 immediately’s sport after being hit within the hand by a pitch from right-hander Luke Weaver through the fifth inning of immediately’s sport in opposition to the Mariners. Luckily for Tampa, x-rays on Paredes’s hand got here again damaging and the 24-year-old third baseman was recognized with a hand contusion. Supervisor Kevin Money indicated to reporters (together with these at MLB.com) that Paredes gained’t be in tomorrow’s beginning lineup and is day-to-day, however may very well be out there off the bench if needed. It’s been a breakout marketing campaign for Paredes in 2023, because the teen has slashed a incredible .253/.352/.502 in 497 journeys to the plate this season. 22-year-old rookie Osleivis Basabe figures to take over on the sizzling 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 as a result 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 fee. He figures to type a deadly three-headed-monster in the back of the Toronto bullpen alongside Romano and deadline addition Jordan Hicks ought to the Blue Jays make it to the postseason.
