MLB Player News

Rafaela was named by Baseball America as Boston's Minor League Player of the Year, Alex Speier of Baseball America reports.

Rafaela looked overmatched early in 2021 while with Single-A Salem, but Salem hitting coach Nelson Paulino worked with the him to remove a pre-swing hitch that created too much movement. The results were immediate last season, but few anticipated the breakout season Rafaela has experienced in 2022. The 22-year-old hit .299/.342/.539 with 21 homers, 10 triples, 31 doubles, 28 stolen bases, 26 walks and 113 strikeouts in 116 games split between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. The one-time shortstop has handled the transition to center field with aplomb, and the the 5-foot-8, 152-pounder should add more power as he matures.

Paredes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Wednesday against the Astros.

Paredes took Lance McCullers yard in the seventh inning to tally his 20th homer of the season. He's held a fairly regular role in the Rays' lineup since Brandon Lowe (back) has been sidelined, maintaining a .318 average with two homers, five RBI and four runs scored across his last nine starts spanning to Sept. 13. Though he's struggled to hit for a decent average, Paredes has a 127 wRC+ and .338 wOBA across 343 plate appearances on the campaign.

Moncada went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Guardians.

Moncada took Triston McKenzie deep in the fourth inning to tally his 11th homer of the season. Moncada has a disappointing season overall, though he's hitting .305 with four home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored in 13 starts since returning from the injured list.

Freeman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

After starting in the final three games of the Guardians' series with the Twins that ended Monday, Freeman finds himself on the bench for the second game in a row. Both of his absences from the lineup have come against right-handed pitchers (Dylan Cease and Lance Lynn), and the righty-hitting Freeman may find himself in a de facto platoon moving forward with lefty-hitting outfielder Will Brennan, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and is starting in right field.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Kreidler will sit for the second day in a row after producing an ugly .182/.255/.273 slash line over his first 52 plate appearances of his big-league career. In light of his struggles, the 24-year-old rookie may be in danger of moving into more of a part-time role over the final two weeks of the season.

Bregman isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Rays.

Bregman was expected to get a day off Wednesday, and he'll officially be on the bench while Aledmys Diaz starts at third base and bats cleanup. Bregman should be available off the bench if needed for Wednesday's series finale in Tampa Bay.

Chapman went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two additional runs in Tuesday's 18-11 win over the Phillies.

Chapman owns an .821 OPS thus far in September, but a good chunk of his offensive production has come in the last four games. During that span, Chapman has collected four extra-base hits (three home runs, one double) while driving in seven and scoring seven times.

Suarez (finger) saw a hand specialist in Arizona on Monday and hopes to begin taking swings off a tee and in the batting cage at some point this week, the Associated Press reports.

Suarez suffered a small fracture in the tip of his right index finger Friday against the Angels and hit the injured list a day later. The veteran slugger's potential progress in coming days should go a long way toward determining how realistic a return will be when he's first eligible Tuesday, at least as a designated hitter.

Devers went 1-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Reds.

Devers launched his 27th home run in the top of the ninth, giving Boston a 5-1 cushion, but it turned out to be needed when the Reds plated two off Matt Strahm. Devers has reached base safely in nine straight games, going 12-for-37 (.324) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, one steal and three runs scored during that stretch.

Duffy went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Rangers.

Duffy got the Angels on the board when he took a Cole Ragans offering down the left-field line in the second inning. Duffy was part of a rally in the sixth after getting aboard with a single, and he scored the last run of the game. The 31-year-old has posted consecutive multi-hit efforts for the first time since late May. He's up to a .260/.311/.328 slash line with two homers, 14 RBI, 11 runs scored and seven doubles through 206 plate appearances. Duffy appears to have near-everyday playing time at third base.