Romy Gonzalez (shoulder, hip) close to returning

The Red Sox are going to roll with Eli White and Jahmai Jones as their lefty-mashing specialists, in addition to Nick Sogard seeing regular time at second base, with Gonzalez going to the minors in the wake of their trade deadline moves. The 29-year-old infielder has hit just .185 (12-for-65) with one homer, seven RBI and one steal in 19 games this season.

Seigler has settled in as the Red Sox’ everyday second baseman and leadoff hitter over the past couple of weeks, but he’ll get a breather in this one. Romy Gonzalez will start in his place and bat sixth against Rays’ left-hander Shane McClanahan on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park.

This will be the fifth and final game that Willson Contreras is suspended for. When Contreras returns, Gonzalez will likely play more DH at second base, but he should remain in the lineup. He’s hitting .231/.302/.385 in 11 games since returning from offseason shoulder surgery.

Sure, why not. Durbin has been on a roll over the last few weeks, hitting .290 (27-for-93) with eight round-trippers in 26 games since a two-homer outburst back on June 10. He’ll get a chance in place of Romy Gonzalez, who is on the bench in this one, with Willson Contreras continuing to serve a five-game suspension through the All-Star break.

Contreras left Wednesday night’s game after fouling a pitch off of his foot. He didn’t believe he was dealing with anything other than a bruise, but he was also noticeably limping when he left the game. The Red Sox will give him at least one day off and go from there. Brett Harris, just up from Triple-A, will bat eighth and play first base, and Romy Gonzalez will hit cleanup and be the DH. Nate Eaton is also batting seventh and in left field after coming off the suspension list.

There’s a lot to unpack here. Contreras limped off the field following a third-inning fly out where he appeared to roll his ankle while rounding first base and was replaced by Romy Gonzalez at first base after going 0-for-2. He also fouled a ball off his foot earlier in the contest. It’s possible his exit was for precautionary reasons to avoid making matters worse. The 34-year-old accepted an invite to compete in next week’s All-Star Home Run Derby earlier in the day. He’s also waiting on the appeal process to play out regarding a seven-game suspension. He’ll undergo further evaluation and testing to determine the severity of the injury. There should be an update on his status prior to Thursday’s series finale in Chicago.

Gonzalez smoked a Sammy Natera offering over the Green Monster for a two-run shot, and to give Gonzalez his first homer of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old should be in the lineup whenever a left-hander is on the mound — as was the case Saturday — and he should get a chance to see playing time against pitchers from both sides when Willson Contreras starts serving his suspension. It seems logical that he’ll see plenty of time after Contreras is likely dealt before the trade deadline, too. Just food for thought.

The triple was a liner in front of Jose Siri in center that should have been caught or turned into a single at worst. Instead, it skipped past him and went all of the way to the wall. Both RBI came on a single through the right side of the infield an inning later. Gonzalez has started four of five games since coming off the IL, though three of those have come versus lefties. If he plays regularly against righties, he could have some mixed-league value, but that both Caleb Durbin and Anthony Seigler are swinging it well could limit Gonzalez’s at-bats somewhat. He probably will have a little runway when Willson Contreras serves his suspension.

This is the third straight game against a left-hander that Duran has sat out. The 29-year-old is hitting .216/.284/.297 in 81 plate appearances against lefties this season with a 27.2 percent strikeout rate. Nate Eaton will start in left field and bat seventh while Romy Gonzalez will be the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Gonzalez will make his long-awaited return to the Red Sox’ lineup on Sunday night against the Yankees. He has been sidelined since early in spring training after undergoing an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left shoulder. Mickey Gasper was optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move on Sunday.