Eli

White

White’s homer off Kyle Bradish was his first in 25 games for Boston after being acquired from Atlanta and second off a right-hander this season. He’s started the last four games in center with Ceddanne Rafaela hurt, and it figures that the Red Sox will keep using him there; none of their other options at this point make it worth sliding Jarren Duran over.

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.

Duran will get a breather with left-hander Matt Wilkinson toeing the slab for the Giants. Eli White will take his place in left field and will bat eighth for the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park.

Yoshida was feeling so under the weather on Sunday that he wasn’t even at the ballpark with his teammates. He’s back in the dugout on Sunday and could be available off the bench. Wilyer Abreu is functioning as the team’s designated hitter on Sunday with Eli White starting in right field and batting eighth against J.T. Ginn and the Athletics.

Abreu receives some extra time off to recover after being hit by a pitch above his shin guard during Friday’s game. It was a bit surprising to see him on the initial lineup card in the first place with rookie left-hander Gage Jump taking the ball for the Athletics. The 27-year-old has put together a phenomenal season, slashing .256/.331/.462 with 20 homers, 62 RBI and seven steals in 429 plate appearances over 113 games. It’ll be Eli White moving over to right field with Jarren Duran getting into the lineup in the opposite corner. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

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.

White bolsters Boston’s bench mix and should get some chances against left-handed starters over the final two months. The 32-year-old has been a key role player for Atlanta over the last two years.

The Braves wanted to add an outfielder who could start against lefties, and Thomas fits nicely there, as long as they don’t get overexcited and start using him versus righties, too. Thomas has an .800 OPS against lefties and a .660 OPS against righties this year. For his career, he’s at .850 against lefties and .669 versus righties. The Braves didn’t have to part with any top prospects, so it’s a solid pickup. With Thomas in the mix, the Braves might move on from Eli White. Isaac Collins and Josh Rojas should get more time in Kansas City with Thomas out of the mix.

White missed the first three games of the week to be with his family. He’s hitting .227 with four homers and four steals in 119 plate appearances for Atlanta this season.