Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Rafaela is viewed as the team's everyday shortstop at this point, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Cora has said as much through his actions -- Rafaela will make his sixth straight start at shortstop Thursday versus the Guardians -- and now the skipper has confirmed it with his words. Rafaela has received high marks for his defense both at shortstop and in center field, and using him at shortstop with Trevor Story (shoulder) out for the season helps address the Red Sox's logjam in the outfield. With Rafaela settling in at shortstop, Wilyer Abreu has become an everyday player in the outfield, making 10 straight starts.