The MLB postseason race is heating up, and the Boston Red Sox received updates on three injured players following their victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Ceddanne Rafaela, Garrett Crochet and Tanner Houck are all dealing with different injuries, but there is some encouraging news as Boston enters the final stretch of the regular season.
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Aug 21, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Rafaela missed Thursday’s game against Baltimore after leaving Wednesday’s game against Seattle with tightness and soreness in his right quadriceps. The Red Sox are not planning to put him on the injured list at this point, but manager Chad Tracy said the team will take a cautious approach.
“He’s going to get treatment like crazy,” Tracy said. “We’re not going to put him out there until we see good improvement.”
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Rafaela has been one of Boston’s most consistent players this season, hitting .282/.317/.443 with 16 home runs and 17 stolen bases. He has also made 130 starts in center field.
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Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Crochet is also moving closer to a potential return, although his timeline remains more uncertain.
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The left-hander is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session in more than two months on Friday at Fenway Park. He has been working his way back from left shoulder inflammation and is currently considered a late-season possibility.
The Red Sox are hoping Crochet can potentially return as a reliever for the final stretch rather than immediately jumping back into a starter’s workload.
May 12, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck (89) pitches first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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Houck has made perhaps the most significant progress of the three.
The right-hander, who has been sidelined while recovering from a torn UCL and right flexor-pronator strain, is scheduled to throw his second simulated game Friday. If that outing goes well, the next step could be a minor-league rehab assignment.
MLB.com lists Houck as aiming for a late-regular-season return, which would potentially give Boston another pitching option for the postseason.
Houck’s comeback has been a long one, but he is finally approaching the point where he could face hitters in an actual game setting again.
The Red Sox obviously would love to have all three players healthy, but each situation is different. Rafaela could return relatively quickly, while Crochet and Houck are still working through pitching progressions.
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With the postseason race entering its final weeks, every healthy contributor could make a difference for Boston.
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