Rob

Refsnyder

Refsnyder was thinking a couple of years ago that he’d be retired by now. Instead, he’s hitting .325/.352/.633 with four homers in 54 plate appearances as Boston’s lefty killer. He’s batting .290/.357/.495 with 15 homers in 361 plate appearances since the beginning of last year.

Refsnyder has been out of the starting lineup with tightness in his lower back, but is feeling well enough to hit in the middle of the order against Tark Skubal and Detroit. Wilyer Abreu takes a seat against the defending Cy Young winner.

Refsnyder has played sparingly this season for the Red Sox and is probably going to get a couple extra days off after dealing with back spasms earlier this weekend. It doesn’t seem like he’ll require a trip to the injured list for the moment.

The bad news is that Refsnyder isn’t able to play, but the good news is thar Cora suggested his absence is precautionary and he won’t need a stint on the injured list. Refsnyder should be able to return to the Boston lineup in the coming days if there are no setbacks.

Beyond him being banged up, the Red Sox haven’t elaborated on what’s wrong with Refsnyder. It sounded like putting him on the IL today was a consideration, but Romy Gonzalez was the choice to go instead. With Refsnyder sitting, Wilyer Abreu is starting against a lefty for the second time this season.

Cora noted specifically that Romy Gonzalez and Rob Refsnyder are a bit banged up and each of them could require a trip to the injured list. It’s unclear what that potential move or moves could be, though fantasy managers are obviously clamoring for Roman Anthony to somehow get promoted to join the big league roster. Stay tuned.

Campbell was initially in there batting seventh and starting in center field but was ultimately pulled from the lineup due to right rib discomfort. He should be considered day-to-day. Rob Refsnyder will start in his place against Jose Berrios and the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Abreu has been left off Boston’s lineup card to open Sunday’s series finale with lefty Logan Allen taking the ball for Cleveland. The 25-year-old slugger blasted a three-run homer — his fifth round-tripper of the season — during the opening contest of Saturday’s doubleheader. It’ll be lefty-mashing veteran Rob Refsnyder in right field on Sunday afternoon.

Even though the Red Sox are facing a right-handed pitcher, Rob Refsnyder will start in left field with Jarren Duran shifting over to center. Rafaela is a Gold Glove caliber centerfielder, and he has cut his strikeout rate under 19 percent so far this season, which are obvious reasons for the Red Sox to keep him in the lineup. However, he still swings and misses too much, and he has Roman Anthony, the top prospect in baseball, breathing down his neck, so Rafaela will need to start producing soon before he becomes a super utility player.

The Red Sox still haven’t said what’s wrong with Abreu, who was scratched from Saturday’s lineup before the game was ultimately postponed. Rob Refsnyder is in right field for the first game today.