“In one year, I started, long relief, mid relief, closed. So I’ve kind of checked all the boxes of pitching in high-leverage situations, men on, no one on, starting games. So any role that I can step in and go out there and help this team win, I’m in for it,” Houck said per Boston Herald‘s Zack Cox.

His return as a versatile arm out of the bullpen represents a key reinforcement for Boston’s pitching staff in the playoff race. Will he get the opportunities he needs on the field to make a deep postseason run?

The injury seems to be behind him

Tanner Houck’s 2025 campaign took a rough turn when a flexor pronator strain in his right elbow completely derailed his season, ultimately requiring Tommy John surgery (along with a flexor tendon repair) in mid-August. The road back has been a long grind, keeping him sidelined for over a year, but his rehab took a major step forward this month when he kicked off a minor-league assignment with Double-A Portland.

He’s been ramping up his pitch count and refining his mix—including a tweaked sweeper and a sharper splitter—with the goal of rejoining Boston’s bullpen just in time to give the Red Sox a high-leverage arm for the stretch run and potential postseason push.

What’s left for Boston down the stretch?

To close out the regular season, BoSox‘ final stretch features a three-series run starting tomorrow, September 15th through 17th, when they head to Globe Life Field for a road set against the Texas Rangers.

Right after that, from September 18th to 20th, they stay on the road to battle the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Finally, the Red Sox come back home to Fenway Park from September 22nd to 24th to wrap up their penultimate series against the Cleveland Guardians before finishing the year.

“I had to. I don’t want to get booed again. So I made sure my hamstring was 100%. I tested it last night in Portland. Went first to third. Felt good. And that’s why I decided to be activated today — because my leg felt great,“ Contreras said per MassLive‘s Christopher Smith.

With only a few games remaining and hopes of securing a Wild Card spot, the BoSox remain in contention in the AL East. The good news for Chad Tracy is that having Contreras fully recovered is a positive sign for the depth of his roster.

Contreras’ impact on Boston

Before landing on the injured list, Contreras was having a standout first year with Boston. Through 125 games, he posted a solid .274 batting average alongside 26 home runs, 79 RBIs, and an .899 OPS, numbers that earned him his fourth career All-Star selection.

Anchoring the middle of the order and leading the club in home runs, he provided the Red Sox with reliable elite power and veteran leadership at first base, serving as a core middle-of-the-order threat right in the thick of their Wild Card push.

Fighting for a spot in the postseason

The Red Sox are sitting in a solid spot to lock up an AL Wild Card berth, currently holding an 82–68 record with just 12 games left in the regular season. While catching the Tampa Bay Rays in the division is out of reach, Boston has a comfortable cushion over the chasing pack for one of the top wild card seeds. Its final stretch kicks off tomorrow, September 15th, when it heads to Globe Life Field for a three-game road series against the Texas Rangers.

Still, Willson Contreras remains an absentee that stings. He may not be missing much longer. Based on what the Red Sox saw from the star infielder in his latest step toward returning to the lineup, Boston could activate him from the injured list right away. Unfortunately, though, that isn’t possible.

“Willson Contreras is taking batting practice on the field, which typically is an indication that an injured player is close to returning,” Tim Healey of the Boston Globe reported. “He is eligible to come off the IL on Thursday. [To be announced] whether he goes on a rehab assignment first.”

Contreras on 10-day IL

Because he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain on Aug. 31, Contreras isn’t allowed to be activated until Sept. 10. Even then, it remains to be seen if Boston interim manager Chad Tracy and his staff decide to bring him back to the MLB lineup or if a short stint in the minors is in order for Contreras.

Although their rehab assignments weren’t exactly great, the Red Sox saw Trevor Story and Roman Anthony return to the major leagues in great form. However, their injuries required much longer rehabs than Contreras’, who is apparently ahead of schedule even with a brief IL stint.

Boston is on a tear

With the Red Sox riding a red-hot streak of five straight wins, Tracy won’t want to rush Contreras back into the lineup. To say the BoSox are weathering the storm would be an understatement. The team is doing just fine without him, and it may be best to give him some extra days’ rest. They may make a big difference come postseason in the Show.

Boston is breathing down the New York Yankees’ neck, and it can afford to go without Contreras a bit longer if it means having him fully loaded for the final stretch of the Wild Card race and the playoff opener.

According to The Boston Globe‘s Tim Healey, Crochet is tracking toward a return for the opening round of the postseason. However, the southpaw is unlikely to make any formal rehab appearances—in either the majors or minor leagues—before taking the mound in October.

That provides a welcome boost for the 80-65 Red Sox. While Boston has leaned heavily on veteran Sonny Gray—whose MLB-leading 17 wins have anchored the rotation—the impending return of Crochet adds a high-upside weapon to the pitching staff at the most critical stretch of the year.

Given Tanner Houck’s recent health setback and Tyrone Guerrero landing on the 15-day injured list, Boston’s front office and coaching staff would be thrilled to welcome Crochet back following his lengthy 60-day IL stint.

Crochet’s projected postseason role

Despite missing more than four months of major-league action, Crochet is expected to transition into a high-leverage relief role rather than joining the starting rotation, where Gray has led the way.

Deploying him in one- to two-inning bursts allows Boston to unleash his upper-90s fastball and sharp slider without overtaxing his arm. It gives manager Chad Tracy a legitimate high-strikeout weapon for late-inning matchups or multi-inning relief situations.

Contract implications and postseason pedigree

Because Crochet spent 120 consecutive days on the injured list, a specific clause in his contract was triggered, voiding his 2030 player opt-out. That converts his deal into a $15 million club option through 2032, paving the way for a potentially extended tenure in Boston.

If Crochet return in time for a Wild Card showdown with New York, the Red Sox wouldn’t just be adding raw power back to their bullpen—they’d be gaining a battle-tested arm with three postseason appearances under his belt who thrives on late-season pressure.

“Tanner Houck said he will throw about 20 pitches with Double-A Portland on Tuesday, then 40-45 with Portland on Friday. Then he’ll join Triple-A Worcester for a game next week,” Boston Globe‘s Tim Healey revealed on X.

Chad Tracy needs more depth in the rotation for what appears to be a very tight and competitive finish to the season. Will the BoSox ultimately be able to bring Houck back by then?

A long layoff for Houck

Tanner Houck has been out of action for roughly 16 months, having not pitched in a Major League game since May 12, 2025. His extended absence was caused by a severe right elbow injury—specifically a right flexor pronator strain alongside ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) damage—which required him to undergo a hybrid Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair on August 18, 2025.

His return is highly anticipated at Fenway, although there is still some caution over whether he will be able to perform at the highest level. If he can do so, there is no doubt that it would be a major boost for the team on the mound.

What’s next for the Red Sox?

The Red Sox are sitting third in the AL East with a 79–65 record and just 18 games left in the regular season as they push for a Wild Card spot. They are kicking off a home stand at Fenway against the Los Angeles Angels (Sept 7–9) before hosting the Kansas City Royals (Sept 11–13).

After that, they hit the road for back-to-back series against the Texas Rangers (Sept 15–17) and Tampa Bay Rays (Sept 18–20), before wrapping up the season at home against the Cleveland Guardians (Sept 22–24) and the Chicago Cubs (Sept 25–27).

That said, the BoSox made an interesting roster move to help fill the void left by Rafaela. Outfielder Nate Eaton was recalled from Triple-A Worcester, with the team looking ahead to a challenging stretch of upcoming games.

A few days ago, Chad Tracy didn’t rule out Rafaela’s long-term injury, which, fortunately for Boston, turned out to be something much less serious. The Red Sox need every player at full strength during this crucial point of the season, when every win matters and every setback could prove significant.

How much do the Red Sox lose without Rafaela?

Missing Rafaela is a massive blow for the Red Sox, especially with how crucial he’s been at the top/middle of the lineup and his unreal defensive versatility in center field and the infield. Before going down with that right quad issue, he was having a breakout campaign, slashing .284/.285 with 16 home runs, 64 RBIs, 67 runs scored, and 137 hits across 122 games.

Losing that kind of elite range on defense alongside a bat that reliably drives in runs instantly drains Fenway’s energy and leaves a huge gap in the everyday lineup as Boston pushes down the stretch.

The games Ceddanne Rafaela will miss

The Red Sox will have to navigate a crucial stretch without Rafaela, as he won’t be eligible to return until September 13 at the earliest. He is guaranteed to miss the final game of the road series against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Sept. 6), followed by a three-game home stand against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park (Sept. 7–9).

Also the INF will be out at least the first two matchups of a three-game home set against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park (Sept. 11–13). If his recovery stays right on track, the earliest he could rejoin the lineup would be for Sunday’s series finale against the Royals on September 13.

According to OptaStats, Rutschman became the first player in MLB history to record a multi-home run game on both sides of the same matchup in a single season. Back on April 24, he hit two home runs for the Orioles against the Red Sox. Fast forward to Sept. 3, and he accomplished the same feat—this time wearing Red Sox colors against the Orioles.

Rare oddities like this highlight Rutschman’s special offensive dynamic. His versatile bat and switch-hitting prowess make him an impact middle-of-the-order threat for any club, and Red Sox fans are eager to see how his momentum carries into the stretch run.

Boston continues to manage the loss of injured outfielder Cedanne Rafaela, whose return timeline manager Chad Tracy recently addressed. Still, the Red Sox remain firmly in the hunt for an American League Wild Card spot and currently control their own destiny down the stretch.

Rutschman’s standout 2026 campaign

Even when the Red Sox sputtered earlier in the season, Rutschman remained a foundational pillar in the lineup. In mid-May, he provided a signature spark against the rival New York Yankees, launching a 392-foot, two-run homer off Paul Blackburn to help lock down a 5–0 shutout victory.

Beyond his clutch game-winning hits, Rutschman maintained elite underlying metrics throughout the summer, consistently sustaining a hard-hit rate above 40 percent alongside a disciplined plate approach that anchored the offense.

With Boston holding onto a Wild Card spot, the Fenway faithful are relying on Rutschman to deliver peak performance ahead of October. As the regular season enters its final weeks, every game carries playoff-level stakes.

Although Tracy’s latest update on Adley Rutschman’s injury failed to clear up concerns, the catcher is back in the lineup for his first game back in Baltimore since being traded to the Red Sox. However, Rafaela has now been removed from the lineup, leading to yet another injury scare for the BoSox during the 2026 MLB campaign. Asked about the severity of Rafaela’s injury and how long he may be out, Tracy didn’t quite have definitive answers.

“Tracy said it’s premature to say it’s only a couple of days with Rafaela,” as reported by MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “It’s hard to say at this point. I think that’ll maybe become more clear over the next couple of days,” Tracy admitted. “We’re not going to put him out there until we see good improvement.”

Rafaela will get worked on sore quad

The Red Sox know how crucial the 25-year-old outfielder is to their entire operation. Both on defense and at the plate, Rafaela is impossible to miss night in and night out. He’s also a vocal leader. That was made clear when he blasted MLB umpires for the controversial call in the 16-1 loss against the New York Yankees.

Although Boston won’t rush Rafaela back, nor will it take any unnecessary risks, Tracy admitted the center fielder will receive treatment on his right quad. That will also help the team’s medical staff understand what they are dealing with and determine the best path forward.

“He’s still sore. Still some tightness and soreness in there,” Tracy commented on Rafaela’s health. “So obviously off. And then we’ll essentially be day-to-day. He’s going to get treatment like crazy and he’ll be day-to-day to see how he feels and how he’s progressing.”

Red Sox set to be without best bat

Losing Rafaela for an uncertain period of time means Boston will need other bats to step up to the challenge. Rafaela boasts the best batting average among all Red Sox players at .282, as well as a .760 OPS. Perhaps his absence—for as long as it may be—serves as the perfect opportunity for a player like Trevor Story to win back the fans in The Hub.

Since his return from injury and rehab assingment, Story has been red-hot, carrying a four-game hitting streak and delivering in clutch moments. This may be his litmus test, though, and an unparalleled chance to make up for the wasted time and past tensions.

Dealing with a hyperextended right elbow, Rutschman has already missed games during the 2026 MLB campaign. Now, he’s set to miss at least the first two games against the Seattle Mariners. More could follow. Tracy’s injury update wasn’t exactly an encouraging one. On the bright side, however, it wasn’t fatalistic either.

“He’s dealing with some stuff with that elbow. We’re not completely out of the woods. We are still monitoring and trying to give him appropriate time to make sure everything’s OK. It’s probably something we’re going to deal with off and on through the year,” Tracy admitted during an interview on WEEI.

Red Sox set to miss Rutschman in key games

Going forward, with the postseason in sight, it’s possible Boston will have to figure out a way to help its catcher recover while getting him into crucial, high-stakes games late in the year. Tracy admitted just that. Rutschman’s injury may not necessarily be season-ending, but it appears to be one that will follow—or haunt, rather—him through the end of the year, and perhaps beyond.

For the foreseeable future and the rest of the 2026 MLB schedule, it looks like Rutschman will be in and out of the lineup, going as far as his injured, deft arm allows him to. For the time being, the BoSox’ medical staff is still figuring out the best path moving forward, and Rutschman is considered day-to-day.

“They’re looking at different avenues to help alleviate that,” Tracy added about Rutschman’s status. “We have to be mindful of that. He’s active, but keeping him healthy and doing what we need to do to make sure we keep him healthy is important.”

Rutschman’s stats in 2026

Since Boston traded for him, Rutschman hasn’t had the production the baseball club in Massachusetts hoped for. Certainly not what the Red Sox expected after giving up a lot to complete the blockbuster trade within the American League East. Trades within the division usually cost extra, and Boston learned that while negotiating with the Baltimore Orioles.

So far in 2026, Rutschman has totaled 35 runs, 71 hits, 51 RBIs, and nine home runs. Moreover, his slash line registers a .237 batting average, .318 OBP, .400 SLG, and .718 OPS, along with a 1.7 WAR. However, his overall stats in 2026 are greatly improved by his numbers in Charm City. Since arriving in Boston, the three-time All-Star has struggled. Quite literally, his latest elbow setback added injury to insult.

So far, Rutschman has played 15 games for the Red Sox, putting up five runs, nine hits, four RBIs, and one homer. His slash line took a hit, dropping to a .170 AVG, .254 OBP, .245 SLG, and .499 OPS—all career-lows. His wins above replacement sits in the negative at -0.2 WAR.

Rough start to career in Boston

As great as Boston’s season has been since the All-Star break, Rutschman hasn’t enjoyed much individual success at Fenway Park. The grass isn’t always greener, they say, but the star catcher isn’t giving up just yet. Maybe if he keeps digging, and does so long enough, the grass will finally turn the color he hopes for—and that is a tone similar to the Green Monster, which Rutschman has yet to tame.

The pitcher, who also spent time with the Chicago White Sox, has a 2.92 ERA and a .159 BAA in three starts since being called up to Triple-A. The BoSox are strengthening their pitching staff, as they cannot afford to lose ground to the New York Yankees in the AL East.

The series against the Mariners began with a narrow 9-8 victory, and securing another win will be crucial. The Tampa Bay Rays continue to lead their division, so Boston will look to secure a Wild Card spot in some way.

More moves in Boston

With just a handful of games remaining in the regular season, the Red Sox do not want to leave anything to chance. Looking ahead to what is coming, some players will be unavailable for Chad Tracy’s team.

The team reinstated Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the 60-day IL, in addition to designating Brett Harris for assignment. Finally, Eduardo Rivera was recalled from Triple-A Worcester and, due to a lumbar strain, was placed on the 60-day IL.

What’s next for Boston in the short term?

With a solid 75-63 record, the Red Sox are entering the final stretch with just 24 games remaining. Right now, they’re wrapping up a quick two-game series at home against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park (Sept 1–2).

Immediately after, they hit the road for a key four-game divisional clash against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Sept 3–6), before heading back to Fenway to host the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game set (Sept 7–9).

“He needs to stay out of that and not be telling people to throw at players and injure players. That’s not what this game’s about,” Judge told reporters in Los Angeles, where he traveled with the team to continue his rehab progression with field work.

Life in a Yankees uniform comes with immediate scrutiny, and high-profile players often find themselves in the crosshairs when performing at an elite level. This time, Chisholm found himself squarely at the center of the noise.

Meanwhile, manager Aaron Boone provided an update on Judge’s rehab timeline. The Yankees expect their captain to return at full strength once cleared as they chase a World Series title.

What did Flemming say about Chisholm Jr.?

Analyzing New York’s dominant series performance against the Red Sox, Flemming made it clear he disapproved of how Chisholm handled himself on the field.

“Wouldn’t you sort of like to see Moran drill Wells right here? He’s a bush-league player. It’s not even a steal… That’s a selfish play. That’s just padding your stats. That’s who Jazz is. I’m gonna say it, he plays the game the wrong way,“ Flemming said during the broadcast.

Flemming subsequently issued a public apology to Chisholm and Yankees fans, acknowledging that his emotion got the better of him during the rivalry matchup. “My comments during yesterday’s broadcast crossed a line. I’m emotional and a fan at heart and that bled into the broadcast. I meant no disrespect to the Yankees players or organization,” Flemming said.

Chisholm Jr. weighs in on Flemming’s comments

The star infielder was initially unaware of the broadcast comments, telling reporters he only caught wind of the situation late. Chisholm brushed off the criticism, noting that he didn’t even know who Flemming was and certainly won’t remember him moving forward.