When the Red Sox placed Kiké Hernandez on the IL with a right hip flexor strain the other day, all indications were that Hernandez would be back with the team before too long. It seemed that Hernandez needed nothing more than a week and a half of rest.
But that notion seems to have changed.
On Thursday, Alex Cora revealed that the Red Sox had sent Hernandez to New York to visit with a noted hip specialist. That would seem at least somewhat ominous.
If Hernandez merely needed some time off, the Sox likely wouldn't be flying him cross-country to get a second opinion on his hip. That's not to suggest that Hernandez is about to undergo any sort of procedure, or is in anyway going to be lost for the season. But it does suggest that Hernandez isn't coming back to the lineup at the end of next week, when he would first be eligible to do so.
Naturally, if the Sox are going to be without Hernandez for an extended period, there are any number of questions the club will have to answer.
First and foremost, there's the issue of ... who plays CF in Hernandez's absence?
The logical choice, of course, is Jackie Bradley Jr., who's played center field in the two games since Hernandez was placed on the IL. Bradley is one of the game's best outfielders, and is no stranger to center, having played the position masterfully for a number of seasons.
The Sox elected to keep Hernandez in center this year when they reacquired Bradley from Milwaukee, operating on the theory that they had two center-field caliber defenders in their outfield alignment -- a recognition that right field at Fenway is every bit as challenging, if not more so, that center.
Would the Sox entertain keeping Bradley in right, while plugging in Hernandez's replacement in center? Doubtful. They've trusted Franchy Cordero in right at Fenway, and, on occasion, Christian Arroyo, too. There's no reason to think they'll deviate from that.
But the loss of Hernandez also offers an opportunity to take a longer look at Jarren Duran. Duran has had two brief call-ups from Worcester this year, but was immediately returned.
The Sox don't yet have a sense of what Duran can do at the big-league level. Duran turns 26 in September and despite being one of the organization's top prospects for several years running, he's amassed just 120 at-bats in the majors, hardly a significant sample size. If there's a time to determine whether Duran can be a meaningful contributor to their big league roster.
Immediately upon Hernandez being placed on the IL, the Sox bypassed Duran and instead promoted Jonathan Arauz, who started at shortstop Thursday night in the series finale in Anaheim. The reason, Cora noted, was the Sox wanted to bolster their infield depth at a time when Xander Bogaerts is battling a sore left shoulder and both Trevor Story and Rafael Devers were in need of a night off. That makes sense.
But Thursday night, MassLive.com reported that outfielder Rob Refsnyder was flying west to join the Sox. What makes that noteworthy is that not only was Duran passed over for a promotion, but he was passed over for a player who isn't currently on their 40-man roster.
Refnsyder has had a fine season at Worcester (.306/.429/.524 with six homers and 28 RBI), but he's a journeyman piece, and at 31, has played for seven different organizations. Does that suggest that the Sox intend to platoon Arroyo and Refsnyder in right?
Or, is it more a reflection of the fact that the Sox are due to face two lefty starters in Seattle this weekend and would prefer to have another righty bat at their disposal?
When Red Sox return home, a recall of Duran would seem to be in the offing. Duran's speed is otherworldly, and the Sox could use an infusion to the top of the lineup. While Hernandez has hit somewhat better in the last few weeks, the team's on-base percentage in the leadoff spot in still among the lowest in the game. Duran could improve that, and then put pressure on teams when he reaches base.
Beside the short-term boost Duran could provide, Hernandez is eligible for free agency after this season, his future -- like a handful of his teammates -- uncertain. Can the Sox depend on Duran to be their center fielder in 2023? Now would seem to be a chance to find the answer to that question.