When one door closes, another door opens.
Well, there’s been quite a few doors opening up and down the Boston Red Sox’s roster this spring…
Vaughn Grissom’s groin strain threw a wrench into the team’s infield plans to start the season. Now, with utility man Rob Refsnyder going on the shelf indefinitely with a broken toe, the picture in the outfield is becoming murkier as well.
In another year in a different situation, Refsnyder’s loss would be more of a blip on the radar. But on a roster with a lot of moving parts, his versatility makes him more of a vital piece.
The 32-year-old Refsnyder is tied for the team lead with seven RBIs and has spent time at all three outfield positions this spring. Last season, he played in a career-high 89 games across four positions — with 71 games played in the outfield. While Refsnyder hasn’t slotted in anywhere other than the outfield or at designated hitter during his time in Boston, he spent time at first, second and third in six prior major league seasons.
Enter Ceddanne Rafaela, who is competing for a spot on the big league roster. While it’s clear the team wants Rafaela to slot in as the everyday center fielder, injuries may force Alex Cora’s hand to move the highly-regarded prospect around the diamond.
Like Refsnyder, Rafaela has a background in the infield where he played nine games in his debut season in the majors last year. His ability to slot in at second or shortstop would be valuable to the Sox as they seek alternate plans.
Rafaela is hitting .250 in a team-high 36 Grapefruit League at-bats and leads the team with three home runs and a team high-tying seven RBIs in 14 games. That’s outpacing his center field competition Jarren Duran, who is off to a slow start with a .176 average (3 for 17) in half as many games played.
Despite showing a little pop this spring, Rafaela’s numbers aren’t exactly eye-catching. But his roster versatility with injuries starting to mount up should give him a leg up on making the Opening Day roster.
No Pham (or Duvall?) in the plan
It doesn’t sound like there will be any more outfielders riding in to save the day this offseason…
Even with Refsnyder’s injury, the Sox are reportedly set on their in-house options. A Boston Globe report has all but ruled out a reunion with 2022 trade deadline acquisition Tommy Pham, who remains on the free agent market.
The 36-year-old Pham is a certified journeyman at this point in his career, and while he only hit .234 with six homers and 24 RBIs in 53 games in his half-season with Boston, he showed marked improvement in 2023. Pham saw his season average swell from .236 in 2022 to .256 and hit 16 homers and 68 RBIs — tied for the second-most of his career — in 129 games with the Mets and Diamondbacks last year.
Bringing back Pham wouldn’t have turned expectations around, but would have represented a Refsnyder-esque replacement to give the team some extra outfield depth. If the team isn’t planning to bring in Pham or another outfielder, that means Adam Duvall’s Red Sox tenure is officially over, too.
(UPDATE: Duvall has signed with the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Thursday afternoon. The deal is for one year and worth $3 million.)
It’s good to see you friend 🙂 pic.twitter.com/N6jzWjHnvL
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 14, 2024
Duvall got off to a hot start last season before missing time with a left wrist injury and falling back to earth, finishing the 2023 campaign with a .247 average. But his 21 homers ranked fourth on the team and his 58 RBIs fifth, and while neither are All-Star numbers, they aren’t insignificant totals to have to replace, either.
Nonetheless, the Red Sox appear confident they’ll be able to replace those numbers with the likes of Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu. Tyler O’Neill has the potential to put up those kind of power numbers, but seems in line for a platoon role.
Good news, bad news for Gio
Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?
Well, Lucas Giolito is still likely to miss most or all of the 2024 season after undergoing right elbow ulnar collateral ligament surgery on Tuesday. But the 29-year-old right-hander was able to avoid Tommy John surgery, instead receiving an internal brace to repair the injury.
Giolito’s alternative procedure reportedly carries a shorter recovery timeline than Tommy John surgery and likely means he’ll be ready to make his Red Sox debut in early 2025, barring any unexpected setbacks.
It’s a procedure the Red Sox have their own recent experience with after shortstop Trevor Story had an internal brace inserted to repair his right UCL in January of 2023. Story was able to make his return to the field only seven months later.
Giolito would likely need more of a build up that Story did, meaning that it’s unlikely he will be able to pitch many meaningful innings this season. But you’re telling me there’s a chance? Hey, it’s better than nothing…
Gethin Coolbaugh is a columnist for Boston Sports Journal. Follow him @GethinCoolbaugh on X/Twitter.