MLB Notebook: Red Sox race to get healthy for October; Yankees dealt major blow with Aaron Judge injury

As the Red Sox enter the final stretch of the regular season, the focus is shifting from simply reaching October to arriving there as healthy as possible.

Boston remains firmly in possession of the second American League wild-card spot and could clinch a postseason berth as early as this weekend. With that cushion, interim manager Chad Tracy and the Red Sox can afford to be conservative with a growing list of injured players.

That list includes some of the club’s most important pieces.

The Sox had a scare on Thursday night in Texas when Willson Contreras was drilled on the top of his right hand by a 92.3 mph sinker from Jakob Junis.

Contreras exited immediately and later admitted the initial pain “felt like a fracture.” Fortunately for the Red Sox, X-rays taken at Globe Life Field were negative.

The ball struck Contreras between the knuckles of his pinky and ring finger, and while the first baseman expects to deal with some pain, he does not believe the hand is broken. With the postseason approaching, the Red Sox will have little reason to rush their most productive hitter back into the lineup.

Boston was also without a key bullpen member this week when Aroldis Chapman was sidelined by lat tightness.

It became apparent something was up Thursday when Garrett Whitlock, not the All-Star closer, was called upon to protect a one-run lead against the Rangers. Chapman developed the tightness while working out before Tuesday’s game but downplayed the issue Friday, saying he felt healthy enough to play catch before the Red Sox instructed him not to throw.

Chapman does not expect to pitch this weekend against Tampa Bay but is targeting a return during Boston’s final homestand, which begins Tuesday.

“I’m not worried at all,” Chapman said. “From the first time I felt it to today, I feel very good. I was going to go out and throw, but the team wants to take it slow, and they want me to take my time.”

The priority for the Sox is having Chapman at full strength when the postseason begins Sept. 29.

“Yeah, of course,” Chapman said. “A hundred percent.”

Ceddanne Rafaela hasn’t played since Sept. 2 because of a right quad strain, but the center fielder continues to make progress.

Tracy said Rafaela recently reached close to 90% acceleration while running. With Triple-A Worcester’s season ending Sunday, there may not be enough time to get him into a traditional rehab game.

Instead, Boston could turn to live batting practice and Trajekt work to prepare him for a return.

“I think he got close to 90% of his acceleration yesterday,” said Tracy. “So not ready yet, but he's moving quickly in the right direction, which is good. If he doesn’t play [for Worcester], there is a goal of getting him some live at-bats of some kind. You know, like live BP-type at-bats of some kind, plus the Trajekt. The important thing is that the running piece keeps going in the right direction.”

For the Red Sox, the most important hurdle remains getting Rafaela comfortable running at full speed.

Tanner Houck will make the fourth and final appearance of his minor league rehab assignment Saturday when he throws approximately 50 pitches for Worcester.

Houck underwent Tommy John surgery 13 months ago and has worked his way back into consideration for a late-season bullpen role.

If Saturday goes well, the Red Sox could give Houck an appearance or two during the final week of the regular season. That would provide Boston with a better indication of whether he can contribute out of the bullpen in October.

Garrett Crochet faces a tighter timeline to return to the mound. 

Boston’s ace hasn’t pitched since April 25 because of a left shoulder injury but continues trying to build back up for a potential relief role in the postseason.

Crochet threw his second up-and-down bullpen session of the week on Saturday at Polar Park. If he has any chance of being ready for the start of the playoffs, the next logical step is facing hitters early next week.

“I would say we're to the point where these next five days or so are going to be pretty telling,” Tracy said. “How does the side go, and what can we do with him early next week? And that'll give us a better idea of the answer to that question.”

As the Red Sox sort through their injuries, an intriguing postseason roster possibility has emerged in Worcester.

Braiden Ward has put himself firmly on the radar.

The speedy outfielder went 5-for-5 with five runs, three RBI, and his sixth homer Friday in Worcester’s 16-1 win over Durham. He also stole his 61st base of the season.

With Eli White out for the season because of a right foot injury, Ward could potentially fill a specialized role as a late-inning pinch-runner and defensive option.

Tracy acknowledged this week that Ward is under consideration.

“I think that’d be considered, for sure,” Tracy said. “You have to look as we get closer ... but you can’t ignore a 60-stolen-base player.”

Ward has stolen at least 50 bases in each of the last three seasons and has converted 87.5% of his career attempts in the minors. He has also played all three outfield positions this season, giving Boston additional roster flexibility.

The Red Sox have successfully carried specialists in that role before, most notably Quintin Berry during their 2013 championship run. And, of course, no pinch-runner is more closely associated with Red Sox postseason history than Dave Roberts and his pivotal stolen base in the 2004 ALCS.

Ward understands just how significant an October call could be.

“I’d cry, I’d freak out,” Ward said this week. “I was kind of joking with [my] dad about it, [and] in a perfect world, I would like to go up a little bit earlier, just so my first taste of the big leagues isn't Game 3 of the Wild Card in a one-run ball game in New York City, looking up at the lights and being like, ‘Oh, my gosh, where am I?’ But that's just fun. I know I can handle it and I just want to do whatever it takes to help the team.”

With October almost secured, Boston can start thinking about those decisions.

Judge's October in Doubt?

Next week will be less about whether the Red Sox will play postseason baseball and more about who will be healthy enough to do it.

The Yankees’ lineup took a significant hit Friday when Aaron Judge was placed back on the injured list, this time with a strained right calf. The timing creates uncertainty about whether New York’s biggest bat will be available when the postseason begins.

Judge was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning Wednesday against the Twins after experiencing discomfort in his lower leg. He initially characterized the move as precautionary, but the symptoms persisted and an MRI revealed the strain.

“The reality is, we’ve had to play a lot of the season this year without him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday. “There’s no replacing a player who is as great as Aaron Judge, but we have high expectations. Those don’t change now.”

Asked whether Judge would be back for the postseason, Boone offered little clarity.

“I don’t know,” he said.

The setback comes just a week after Judge returned from a broken rib that sidelined him for more than three months. He struggled to regain his timing upon returning, going 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts and only one extra-base hit in seven games.

Judge is batting .241 with 18 homers and 41 RBI in 66 games this season. The Yankees are 41-25 with him in the lineup and 48-39 without him.

Judge can return as early as Sept. 27 against Baltimore, the final day of the regular season. That leaves little margin for error with the American League Wild Card Series beginning Sept. 29.

“Missing Judge, it hurts. We all know he’s the best hitter in the game,” Cody Bellinger said. “For us in here, our mindset is, we’re going to have to find a way. I think the talent in this locker room speaks for itself. I’m fully confident that we have enough talent in here that we can go out and win, and beat anybody.”

The Yankees have already secured a postseason berth and currently sit four games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East. If the current playoff positioning holds, New York would host Boston in the Wild Card Series for the second consecutive season.

Whether Judge would be available for that potential matchup is now one of the biggest questions surrounding the Yankees with October approaching.

Angels Job Suddenly Attractive

The Angels’ general manager opening has become one of baseball’s more intriguing front-office opportunities with owner Arte Moreno set to sell the franchise to Stan Kroenke, whose sports portfolio includes the Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche. The sale is expected to value the Angels at a record $4 billion.

“The Angels job just shot to the top of everybody's list,” one American League general manager told Yahoo Sports. “That owner with those resources and an empty canvas, every executive not tied down is gonna want that job and should!”

For now, longtime Cardinals executive John Mozeliak is serving as a baseball operations consultant and interim general manager, but he was not expected to be the permanent replacement when he was hired.

The eventual search could include some prominent names. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes and Rays senior adviser Jon Daniels were identified in a recent Yahoo Sports survey as two executives expected to draw significant interest for openings around the league.

Gomes leaving the powerhouse Dodgers might be difficult to envision, but Kroenke’s resources could significantly change the perception of an Angels organization in need of an overhaul.

Daniels is another intriguing possibility for Los Angeles or another club searching for a new front office vision. He became Rangers general manager in 2005 at just 28 years old and constructed teams that reached consecutive World Series in 2010 and 2011. He was eventually promoted to president of baseball operations before Texas dismissed him in 2022. He now works as a senior adviser with Tampa Bay.

The Red Sox could also have their front office raided this winter.

Assistant general managers Michael Groopman and Taylor Smith have emerged as potential candidates for opportunities elsewhere, with Joe Doyle of OverSlot Baseball connecting both to the Athletics’ vacancy.

Groopman joined Boston in 2022 after working under current Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns in Milwaukee. He has held a variety of responsibilities with the Red Sox, particularly in roster construction, and is credited internally with playing a significant role in pushing the Garrett Crochet trade across the finish line.

Smith joined Boston in 2024 after working for the Rays as their director of predictive modeling. Though his tenure with the Red Sox has been shorter, his analytics background and experience with Tampa Bay could make him another name to watch as clubs begin reshaping their front offices this offseason.

Scary Scene in Queens

Mets first baseman Jared Young was still experiencing concussion symptoms hours after a frightening collision with pitcher Nolan McLean on Thursday night at Citi Field.

Young was taken to a hospital for further evaluation after McLean inadvertently kneed him in the head as both pursued a ground ball near first base in the sixth inning. Young, who was diving for the ball, had his head snap backward before falling hard to the ground.

Interim manager Andy Green later told reporters Young briefly lost consciousness, adding to concerns about the play. A CT scan came back negative, according to Green, and the Mets said Young had feeling in his extremities.

Young remained on the infield dirt for several minutes while teammates gathered nearby and the Phillies watched quietly from their dugout. He was eventually placed on a cart and, as he was taken through the outfield, raised his arm and gave the crowd a thumbs-up.

The injury is a particularly difficult development for Young, who has emerged as one of the Mets’ more unlikely success stories this season.

A 15th-round pick by the Cubs in 2017, Young eventually took his career overseas and hit .326 with 10 homers for the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization in 2024. The Mets brought him back to the United States before the 2025 season.

After making New York’s Opening Day roster this year, Young underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee in April and missed roughly six weeks. He returned swinging the bat well and eventually worked his way into a larger role.

Young entered Thursday batting .267 with nine homers, 39 RBI and a .761 OPS.

The Mets received encouraging news Friday on Young, one day after his scary collision. 

Young is doing “as good as could be expected, or hoped for, given what we saw last night,” Green said in a message posted by the team.

“All the tests that were ran, we got the right kind of results,” Green said. “Everything we have heard has been really optimistic from the recovery standpoint.”

Green added that there was a sense of relief throughout the organization after Young briefly lost consciousness following the collision.

“I’m relieved, I think everybody is,” Green said. “All in all about as good as we could have hoped for.”

Red Sox Sending Eight Prospects to Arizona Fall League

The Red Sox will be represented by eight players in the Arizona Fall League this October, including a trio of infield prospects and five pitchers.

Mason White headlines Boston’s group of position players. The second baseman/shortstop, ranked No. 27 by SoxProspects, was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft and advanced as far as Double-A Portland this season.

He’ll be joined by corner infielder Antonio Anderson, a 2023 third-round pick who spent time with Greenville, and second baseman Nazzan Zanetello, an overslot selection from the 2023 draft.

Boston will also send five pitchers to Arizona: right-handers Trennor O’Donnell, Harry Blum, Madinson Frias and Nicholas Judice, along with left-hander Caden Vire. The group will get additional developmental work in the AFL as the organization continues building its pitching depth.

Around the League

Alonso joins 300-homer club: Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso hit his 300th career home run against his former club, the Mets, at Citi Field, the ballpark he called home before signing with Baltimore this offseason. Alonso became the 171st player in major league history to reach 300 homers.

Red Sox among World Series favorites: The Red Sox had the sixth-shortest odds to win the World Series at +1600, according to Caesars Sportsbook as of Sept. 17. The Dodgers (+200), Brewers (+550), Yankees (+750), Rays (+850) and Braves (+1400) were ahead of Boston.

Alcantara earns first save: Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara recorded the first save of his career Wednesday night.

Nationals lock up Cavalli: The Nationals and right-hander Cade Cavalli agreed Friday to a four-year, $47 million contract that runs through 2030 and includes a team option for 2031. The 28-year-old is 13-5 with a 3.02 ERA this season.

Fairbanks headed for surgery: Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks will undergo surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome after dealing with recurring nerve issues this season. Fairbanks has landed on the injured list three times this year because of nerve-related problems, including his latest stint Tuesday.

Correa ruled out for season: Carlos Correa will not return to the Astros this season as he continues his recovery from left ankle surgery. Manager Joe Espada said Correa did not suffer a specific setback or recurrence, but the daily workload required in his rehabilitation became too much. Houston had previously hoped Correa could return in September, and he had been nearing a rehab assignment.

Oviedo begins rehab with WooSox: Johan Oviedo made his first rehab appearance with Worcester, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out four over 2 1/3 innings. The right-hander needed just 30 pitches and reached 98.5 mph with his sinker. All three of his swings and misses came on his four-seam fastball. Oviedo remains in the mix as a potential postseason option for the Red Sox.

Bruins announce death of Gimenez: The Bruins announced Friday that director of hockey operations Alex Gimenez has died. Gimenez, who grew up a Bruins fan, joined the organization in July in a newly created role focused on contract negotiations, salary-cap management, player acquisition strategy and CBA compliance. Before working in hockey, Gimenez spent more than a decade with the Red Sox, eventually serving as assistant director of major league operations and pro scouting.