Reinforcements on the way, but Chad Tracy says they’re not guaranteed a spot in Red Sox lineup – The Boston Globe
MIAMI — As Roman Anthony, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Trevor Story get closer to coming off the injured list, interim manager Chad Tracy made it clear that no player is guaranteed a spot in the lineup given how well the Red Sox have performed in their absence.
“I don’t foresee a scenario where we get new players here, and I’m just going to not play the guys [who have been playing],” Tracy said Tuesday before the Sox played the Marlins.
“We’re getting to the point of the season where we have a month left. It’s about trying to win every single game. What gives us the best chance that night’s game to do that?
“This is not necessarily the point of the season where it’s like we’re going to work through it. We’ve got to go out there and try to win the game — and that’s with whoever’s available that night to start.”
Anthony, Kiner Falefa, and Story have been playing with Triple-A Worcester this week. Of the three, Anthony is the cleanest fit as the Sox need more production from left field and designated hitter.
Andruw Monasterio has filled in ably at shortstop and been an above-average hitter.
Miami memories
For Wilyer Abreu, Willson Contreras, and Ranger Suarez, returning to loanDepot park this week generated some smiles. It was here where Venezuela beat the United States, 3-2, on March 17 to win the World Baseball Classic.
“A great day for our country,” Suarez said.
Abreu hit a solo home run in that game in front of a noisy sellout crowd of 35,382. He had an .845 OPS and drove in seven runs over seven games in the tournament.
Suarez started twice, beating the Netherlands in pool play before being hit hard by Japan in the quarterfinals, a game his teammates rallied to win.
Contreras played only four games and had 13 plate appearances. Manager Omar Lopez preferred Luis Arraez at first base and Eugenio Suarez as the designated hitter.
“I’ll always remember winning the WBC,” Abreu said. “But it feels different coming here for a major league game.”
Understandably so. The Red Sox-Marlins game drew only 16,247 on Monday night, which may or may not have counted the dogs who were there for the Bark in the Park promotion. Most of the two-legged fans were cheering for the Red Sox.
For Abreu, winning the WBC has him wondering what it would be like to win the World Series.
“It would be amazing,” he said. “To do both of those things in one season, it’s hard to imagine. But we have to focus day by day and stay in the present before we think about the World Series.”
Rutschman gets a day
Adley Rutschman hyperextended his right elbow taking a swing on Monday night and was out of the lineup. He had a compression sleeve on the joint and is day to day … Caleb Durbin had his first day off since Aug. 9 and second since June 17. His left little finger remains pointed sideways, but he has been able to tape it up and play … Tanner Houck is scheduled to face hitters on Friday, which would be the fourth time for that. The righthander, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is moving toward a rehab assignment. Righthander Johan Oviedo, out all season with an elbow strain, was recently cleared to face hitters … Garrett Crochet had a day of “high intent” throwing on Tuesday back in Boston, according to Tracy. The lefty is trying to return from shoulder inflammation … Curtis Mead, who broke his left wrist in his first game for the Sox on July 27, is out of a hard cast and using a splint. Tracy said he has started mobility exercises. It’s a long shot, but Mead could conceivably return this season.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social.