The Red Sox just lost their fastest player at the a critical point in the season. Interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that outfielder Eli White is on the 10-day Injured List with a right foot ligament injury. This move came just before the Friday night series against the Kansas City Royals. White, the trade deadline pickup, jammed his foot against the centerfield wall’s garage door. The pain got worse overnight, forcing Boston to recall infielder Anthony Seigler from Triple-A Worcester.
White’s Foot Jam Was Avoidable
It is frustrating to lose a player to a broken garage door. White went up for a fly ball and his foot shoved into that metal grate. Tracy explained the situation clearly on Wednesday. “That foot jammed into that garage door when he went up there, and his foot shoved into that garage door,” he stated. The Red Sox had already lost everyday centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela to a right quadriceps strain. Now the team is down two key outfielders in the final weeks of the season. White was the best replacement for Rafaela and the team clearly did not want to use him in that spot.
White had been a solid addition since the trade deadline. This season, he sits within the 100th MLB percentile for Sprint Speed. His 27 games with Boston saw a .276 batting average and .679 OPS. He added three doubles, a home run, 10 runs, and 12 RBI. The team needed that speed and production for the playoff push. Instead, they get a CT scan and an MRI. The imaging showed a ligament injury that will sideline him for at least 10 days retroactive to September 9.
Seigler Steps In But Lacks Speed
Anthony Seigler is a decent player, but he is not the same weapon as White. Seigler is a 27-year-old switch-hitter who played 48 games for Boston this season. He hit .250 with a .736 OPS. He has made 39 starts at second base. While he can play the outfield, he does not bring the elite speed White provided. The Red Sox traded for White specifically to cover for Rafaela’s injury. Now they have to find another way to cover center field without their top option.
The team also has other injury concerns looming. Willson Contreras is presently engaged in a rehab assignment alongside the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. He could be back in the lineup by Saturday. Masataka Yoshida is also on the injured list. The offense has missed Contreras at full strength for weeks. Getting him back is vital, but the loss of White’s speed hurts the defense and the base running. Boston needs every bit of help they can get before the playoffs start.
White’s injury is a major blow to the Red Sox depth chart.
