Rafaela to undergo MRI but hopeful about hamstring

It seems the hamstring issue that knocked him out of Wednesday’s game really must have been a cramp. Rafaela is hitting sixth tonight in his second game back from a quad strain.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said afterwards that Rafaela will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the issue. The 26-year-old center fielder was lifted from Wednesday’s game for precautionary reasons shortly after he pulled up awkwardly and doubled over in discomfort following a second-inning single to left field. He managed to stay in the game initially, but was removed for a defensive replacement in the next inning. The 26-year-old center fielder was playing in his first game back after missing two weeks with a quad strain. There should be additional clarity on his status prior to Thursday’s series finale.

Rafaela is right back in Boston’s lineup, batting sixth and playing center field after missing just over two weeks with a quad strain. The 26-year-old skipped a minor league rehab assignment, but he’s been hitting off the Trajekt machine and took live at-bats against Garrett Crochet (shoulder) earlier this week. He may be a bit rusty after the layoff, but the Red Sox could really use a jolt on offense right now.

Rafaela returns to Boston’s lineup after missing just over two weeks with a right quad strain. He’ll get a few games under his belt to knock off any rust before the Red Sox kick off their postseason run next week.

Rafaela has been out since early September with a right quad strain. He progressed to hitting off a Trajekt machine last week. Obviously, the Red Sox would like to get him back into game action before their postseason run gets underway next week. It certainly sounds like he’s close.

Rafaela has been sidelined since September 6th with a right quad strain. The Red Sox could try to get him into a game at Triple-A over the weekend before the season ends, but it appears that the center fielder is close to a return.

Rafaela had missed the team’s previous three games with the injury and wasn’t improving as quickly as the Red Sox had hoped, so they’ll sit him down and make sure that the injury heals properly and that he’s ready for the stretch run. Nate Eaton was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to take his place on the active roster.

It’s the fourth consecutive contest that Rafaela has missed due to a lingering quad injury. He’s still hopeful that he’ll be able to avoid a trip to the injured list, but if this lingers into next week the Red Sox may be forced to make a move. Eli White will once again start in his place in center field and will bat ninth against O’s right-hander Kyle Bradish.

It’s not quite time to press the panic button, but fantasy managers can’t be feeling too optimistic with Rafaela sitting out his third consecutive game due to a lingering quad issue. The 25-year-old told reporters earlier this week that he didn’t anticipate a trip to the injured list, but that could change if he’s unable to get back in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale. It’ll be Eli White patrolling center field in his absence.

No surprise here. Rafaela seemed optimistic he’d skip a trip to the injured list while manager Chad Tracy was a little more evasive on the topic last night. Consider Rafaela day-to-day for now; we wouldn’t be surprised if he missed more games this weekend.