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Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers cranked his fifth home run of the year in Wednesday's loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but it wasn't enough to lift his team to victory. Devers lined one over the wall in center field for a 431-foot solo homer off Rays right-hander Phil Maton in the sixth inning. The 27-year-old All-Star slugger is slashing a robust .281/.383/.488 with five round-trippers and 10 doubles through 32 outings (121 at-bats) as Boston's everyday third baseman this season, but he's not getting the job done for fantasy managers in the RBI department (15) after plating 100 for the BoSox a season ago. Each of Devers' five blasts have come against right-handed pitching in 2024, and he'll get righty Zack Littell in Thursday's series finale against Tampa with a chance to deliver more counting stats.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) looked sharp in Wednesday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one walk. After throwing 40 of his 61 pitches for strikes on Wednesday, Whitlock should be good to go for a return to Boston's rotation as early as Monday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The 27-year-old right-hander recorded a 1.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 17:4 K:BB through four starts (18 1/3 innings) before suffering a strained left oblique, and he should probably be rostered in the majority of leagues with his return on the horizon. Fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before activating Whitlock if he faces the Rays in his first start back, considering the hurler gave up nine runs over 9 2/3 frames (two starts) against Tampa last year.
Boston Red Sox rookie shortstop/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. Rafaela really struggled in April with a .167 batting average, but he has turned it on in May thus far with a .275 batting average to accommodate his two homers and six RBI. Overall, the 23-year-old is hitting .211, but he has four homers and 23 RBI with four stolen bases. Managers that remained patient with Rafaela are starting to be rewarded and he is worth rostered in mixed leagues as he continues to improve and has good eligibility at shortstop and outfield.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (ribcage) has been making progress in his recovery from a torn cartilage and left ribcage injury. Casas was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 21 and eventually transferred to the 60-day injured list, which makes him eligible to return on June 21, at the earliest. Casas spoke with the media and mentioned that in the upcoming days, he will begin a running program and start his throwing program. The first baseman has started lifting weights but has yet to swing a bat, and that is projected to be the final step in his recovery. Casas is currently ahead of schedule but is still far away from returning to the field. The 24-year-old was off to a good start this season with six homers and 10 RBI over his first 78 at-bats, and fantasy managers with injured list spots should keep him on the roster until he returns.
Boston Red Sox corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan (finger) has been placed on the 7-day injured list with a fractured finger and is expected to miss several weeks. The 20-year-old has slowly slid down the rankings of Red Sox prospects within his time in the organization, but he has still produced at a respectable level. In 99 at-bats this season, Jordan hit .283 with two homers and 16 RBI. Jordan should be able to return later this summer, but he can remain on the waiver wire in most formats moving forward.