Boston Red Sox

Tanner Houck took the loss Friday, allowing three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over seven innings against the Nationals.

Fantasy Impact: Despite this less-than-stellar outing, Houck's season numbers remain impressive, boasting a 2.24 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP through eight starts. His 8.6 K/9 and 6.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio are indicators of his underlying skill, suggesting that this performance is more of a bump in the road rather than a trend. Fantasy managers should continue to view Houck as a strong starting option, given his ability to maintain low scoring and high strikeout games. His resilience and consistency this season should help him bounce back in future outings.

Wilyer Abreu is not in the Red Sox’s starting lineup Friday.

Fantasy Impact: Abreu will get a day off with the Nationals starting Patrick Corbin Friday. Tyler O’Neill will shift defensively and cover right field.

Rob Refsnyder is in the starting lineup for Boston Friday.

Fantasy Impact: Refsnyder missed the series against the Braves with a left hamstring injury. He will serve as the designated hitter and bat second against Washington.

Masataka Yoshida’s will not need surgery on his injured left thumb. (Source: Ian Browne on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This was Yoshida’s third opinion on the injury. While there is no timetable for his return, he will be able to focus on rehab and will no longer have to undergo a procedure.

The Red Sox traded Zack Short to the Braves in exchange for cash considerations. (Source: Atlanta Braves on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Short will head to Atlanta after he was designated for assignment by Boston. He should hold a depth role for the Braves.

The Red Sox activated Romy Gonzalez from the 10-day injured list. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Gonzalez missed the past few weeks due to a left wrist strain. He'll remain in a depth role for Boston.

Nick Pivetta had a rough outing in Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the Braves, surrendering five earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out only one over four innings.

Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a significant deviation from his solid start to the season, as his ERA ballooned from 3.60 to 4.50. The increase in his ERA, coupled with a drop in his strikeout rate this game, could raise concerns among fantasy managers about his consistency. Given his strong start to the season, this game may be a blip, but it's a reminder of the volatility that Pivetta can bring to a fantasy rotation. Managers should monitor his next few starts closely for signs of rebound or further regression.

The Red Sox optioned Naoyuki Uwasawa to Triple-A Worcester. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Uwasawa has been optioned with Nick Pivetta activated from the injured list. He posted a 2.25 ERA across four innings with three strikeouts in his limited time in the majors with Boston.

Kutter Crawford delivered a quality start but couldn't snag a win as the Red Sox fell 4-2 to the Braves on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: Crawford allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings. Despite the loss, Crawford's performance continues to be a bright spot for fantasy managers. His season ERA now sits impressively at 1.75, with a WHIP of 1.08, maintaining his status as a reliable starter in fantasy rotations.

Brayan Bello (late) stated that he will start on Sunday against Washington. (Source: Alex Speier on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Bello is pain free and is ready to be activated from the injured list. He currently carries a 3.04 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in five starts.

Garrett Whitlock (oblique) is slated to throw live batting practice Friday. (Source: Pete Abraham on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Whitlock would likely move on to a rehab assignment if he can get through Friday without any setbacks. Fantasy managers should expect Whitlock to likely need a couple of outings in the minors.

Garrett Cooper is in the Red Sox lineup on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: Cooper continues to platoon at first base after Dominic Smith got the start on Sunday. Cooper is hitting No. 7 in the lineup for Boston.

Tyler O'Neill is back in the Red Sox lineup on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: O'Neill makes his return after he got the day off on Sunday. He is hitting No. 3 in the lineup and starting in left field.

Kenley Jansen allowed one hit in a clean inning during the Red Sox's 9-2 victory over the Twins.

Fantasy Impact: Despite not adding to his strikeout or save totals, Jansen maintained his strong season form, showcasing control by avoiding any walks. His ERA remains impressive at 1.69, and while his WHIP crept up slightly to 1.22, it's clear he continues to be a reliable option in high-leverage situations. Fantasy managers should keep faith in Jansen, especially in leagues that reward holds and low ERA, though his lack of strikeouts in this outing might raise some eyebrows given his high K/9 rate this season.

Ceddanne Rafaela hit a home run on Sunday against the Twins.

Fantasy Impact: Rafaela blasted his third home run of the season in the fifth inning off starter Joe Ryan. He is hitting just .202 at the plate on the year.

Rafael Devers collected two hits, including a home run on Sunday against the Twins.

Fantasy Impact: Devers blasted his fourth long ball of the season in the ninth inning. He is hitting .292 at the plate with 12 RBI.

Cooper Criswell allowed one run on five hits over 4 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and one walk on Sunday against the Twins.

Fantasy Impact: Criswell has now posted a 1.74 ERA through five starts so far this season. He has yet to work more than five innings in any of them, but has been strong while he has been in the games.

Connor Wong is not in the lineup for the Boston Red Sox against the Minnesota Twins Sunday. (Source: Boston Red Sox on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Wong will take a seat on the bench for manager Alex Cora, with Reese McGuire filling in behind the plate at catcher and batting seventh against the Twins Sunday.

Vaughn Grissom is back in the lineup for the Boston Red Sox against the Minnesota Twins Sunday. (Source: Boston Red Sox on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Grissom returns after sitting out Saturday’s contest, starting at second base and batting fifth against the Twins for manager Alex Cora Sunday.

Josh Winckowski allowed one earned run over 4.1 innings in the Red Sox's 3-1 loss to the Giants on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: He surrendered two hits and two walks while failing to strike out any batters. This performance, characterized by a lack of strikeouts and moderate control issues, aligns with his season-long struggles with WHIP and strikeout-to-walk ratio. His ERA slightly increased, but it remains at a respectable 3.22. Fantasy managers should be wary, as his high WHIP (1.52) and low strikeout numbers limit his upside in most formats. Without contributing in saves or holds, Winckowski's value is further diminished, making him a risky play in all but the deepest of leagues.