Red Sox must sit young outfielder if injury comes back up

Injuries are the last thing the Boston Red Sox need to deal with right now, as they already have many of them that have caused a lot of issues. 

Unfortunately for the Red Sox, this has been a season that nobody will want to remember one day, so long as it stays on the same track. If the latest injury issue ends up becoming as big a deal as it possibly can, the Red Sox might as well just tank the season and try to get as many young guys in the lineup as possible.

According to interim head coach Chad Tracy, Ceddanne Rafaela is currently dealing with a hamstring problem. Hamstring injuries can be tricky, though it doesn't seem like he's going to be out at all. Rafaela returned to the lineup on Tuesday.

“Ceddanne Rafaela is out of the starting lineup today due to what Chad Tracy characterized as mild, relatively routine hamstring soreness after running all over the place in Atlanta,” Spier wrote. “He could be available later in tonight’s game.”

Only 25 years old, Rafaela has been one of the lone bright spots in the Red Sox lineup, hitting .284 on the year with four home runs. He's also an elite defender out in the outfield, making him somebody Boston is expected to build around in the future.

Honestly, with how poorly Boston is playing, in last place in the American League East at 20-27, I'd rather be safe than sorry in moments like this, even if it means sitting him for a few weeks.

If this injury pops up once more, I’d be cautious.

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