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