The Boston Red Sox pulled Ceddanne Rafaela in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners.
The Red Sox lost the series to the Mariners, but all eyes are now on Rafaela, who has been a huge part of the Red Sox's success this year. Losing him now would be a significant blow to an offense that is just starting to get all of its pieces back.
However, it seems like Rafaela's injury is nothing serious. According to The Boston Globe's Tim Healey, Chad Tracy said Rafaela was dealing with some quad tightness and tried to keep playing. Considering it was a blowout, the team felt it was best not to risk it.
While Tracy has noted that it is not a serious injury and that Rafaela tried to play, it does not mean the team is in the clear. He said something similar about pulling Willson Contreras from Sunday's game, but Contreras ended up going on the injured list.
The Red Sox are in the final stretch of the season, and it looks like their spot in the postseason is pretty much secure. Barring a disastrous collapse, they should be playing October baseball, and they will likely be the No. 5 seed. They can afford to play it safe with Rafaela and Contreras given some of the depth they have. Right now, the top priority for the Red Sox should be staying healthy, with their postseason position unlikely to change.
