The Boston Red Sox split their four-game series with the Detroit Tigers, securing a hard-fought 8-6 win on Patriots’ Day.
Ceddanne Rafaela and Isiah Kiner-Falefa both had two-run singles to pave the way for Boston’s much-needed win after back-to-back losses to Detroit. Rafaela’s hit in the seventh inning, in particular, helped the Red Sox break the 3-3 deadlock and take the lead.
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the win wasn’t without issues. Starting pitcher Sonny Gray had to leave the mound after just 2 2/3 innings due to injury. According to the team, Gray suffered “right hamstring tightness.”
The injury occurred in the third inning while pitching against the Tigers’ Gleyber Torres. Gray felt something wrong with his right hamstring, prompting pitching coach Andrew Bailey, manager Alex Cora and head athletic trainer Brandon Henry to check on him.
While Gray tried to push through, even throwing a warm-up pitch to test if he could continue, he was eventually removed from the contest.
Gray is now set to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity of his injury. According to the latest reports, however, the Red Sox are placing the 36-year-old pitcher on the 15-day injured list.
The Red Sox start their three-game series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, so in a corresponding move, they are also reportedly recalling reliever Tyler Samaniego.
“Boston will place Gray on the 15-day IL and recall left-handed reliever Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester before its series opener against the Yankees on Tuesday,” Chris Cotillo of MassLive shared.
Justin Legler of NBC Sports Boston corroborated the report, noting that the “club has already placed him on the 15-day injured list.”
For what it’s worth, Gray was optimistic about his injury, noting that he “can honestly say it doesn’t feel like it’s a horrible thing.”
“I’m not concerned for a long-term thing. Having familiarity with it is a good thing because it’s kinda like a ‘crap’ thing too because you have familiarity with the same thing,” Gray added, referencing the fact that he has dealt with hamstring issues before.
“It doesn’t feel as bad as it has other times where I have missed time. I will say that. And that’s a good thing.”
It remains to be seen what other moves the Red Sox will make in the absence of Gray. Aside from Samaniego, Boston has other options such as Payton Tolle who has impressed with Worcester, as well as veteran Tommy Kahnle.
The Red Sox’s pitching staff has an average ERA of 4.35, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Cora decides to reshuffle the roster. After all, the Yankees won’t be easy opponents, as they have won their last three games and currently lead the American League East with a 13-9 record.
