Contreras Bruised Hand After HBP

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras left Thursday night's 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand. The Associated Press reported X-rays were negative and manager Chad Tracy labeled the hand bruised with some swelling, then stamped the situation day to day.

Contreras took a first-pitch sinker from Jakob Junis after Wilyer Abreu led off the eighth with a walk while Boston trailed 3-1. He walked toward first in obvious pain, got checked by trainers, and headed to the dugout. Two batters later, Trevor Story crushed a three-run home run off Jacob Latz that flipped the game and salvaged the series finale in Arlington.

Second HBP in two nights

It was the second straight night Contreras got plunked. On Wednesday he was hit after a two-run first-inning homer in a 7-3 loss. Thursday he finished 1-for-3 with a single before the Junis pitch ended his night. Tracy's day-to-day tag leaves Friday's availability against Tampa Bay unclear until the club sees how the swelling responds overnight.

Fantasy managers who roster Contreras should treat him as a sit until Boston posts a clearer lineup card. Negative X-rays are the relief note. The bruise and swelling are why Friday is not a lock yet.

Sox keep the board moving

Boston needed the Story swing to leave Texas with a win and keep September noise alive. Contreras's bat has been part of that push at first base. If he sits a day or two, the Red Sox lean on the next man in the infield mix while Story stays in the middle of every big inning. Watch Friday's lineup for the first real availability stamp.

Getting hit two nights in a row is the kind of board that can steal at-bats even when X-rays stay clean. Swelling and numbness talk from the postgame notes are why managers should not force him into Friday DFS builds. Give the hand a night, then read the card.

HBP. Negative X-rays. Day to day with a bruised right hand.