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Boston Red Sox first baseman Eric Hosmer (back) is expected to be activated off the injured list on Monday, according to manager Alex Cora. The left-handed slugger has been out since August 20 due to inflammation in his back. Luckily, it sounds like Hosmer will be ready in time to play during the final series of the regular season. The 32-year-old is hitting .267/.333/.381 with eight homers and 44 RBI through 102 games this season.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. Boston called him on Friday but his stay with the big league club was brief. The Red Sox added Kaleb Ort and Josh Winckowski to their active roster in a pair of corresponding moves. Duran struggled whenever he was up with the Red Sox this year but he'll have a chance to compete for a roster spot next spring. He's still just 26 years old and possesses a lot of ability
Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez is not in the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. This is just a day off for the 35-year-old veteran, who's been swinging a hot bat over the last five or so games. It's still been an underwhelming season for the slugger, who has a .271/.339/.438 batting line to go along with 14 home runs and 58 RBI across 520 at-bats. Xander Bogaerts is filling in at DH in Martinez's place.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo had a pair of hits, including a double, and scored twice in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. It brought the 26-year-old's batting average to .285. Verdugo's pretty one-dimensional, though, as he has just 11 HRs and one stolen base with 72 runs and 74 RBI over 147 games. The former top prospect's still deserving of a starting job in most fantasy leagues and will contribute to batting average the rest of the way as the season comes to a close.
Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story (heel, illness) is now sick and is very unlikely to return again this season. Time is running out for Story to return to the Red Sox's lineup, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to contribute within the next week. If it's indeed the case, the 29-year-old slugger will finish his first season with the Red Sox with a .238/.303/.434 slash line, 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 53 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 396 plate appearances over 94 games played. There's a good chance he'll move to shortstop next year with Xander Bogaerts fully expected to opt out of his contract this winter. Christian Arroyo and Enrique Hernandez will continue splitting time at the keystone the rest of the way with Story unlikely to return.
