Ceddanne Rafaela has been a team player for the Red Sox, and they'll ask him to be so again once Trevor Story returns.
Manager Alex Cora hinted that Story could return this weekend in Boston's series against the Chicago White Sox. Cora confirmed that Story would be the club's starting shortstop, which would force Rafaela to move to second base.
The 23-year-old has been one of Boston's most versatile players showing he can play center field and shortstop at a high level. Cora told reporters Friday that the team has worked with Rafaela on the change to second base, and it's a move he certainly isn't complaining about.
"I'm cool with it," Rafaela told reporters, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. "I'm helping the team wherever they put me. On my off-day when I didn't play the game against the (New York) Mets, I took ground balls at second and turned some double plays and started to get going there."
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Rafaela came up huge for the Red Sox on Friday at Fenway Park when he hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning. Moments like on Friday that could make Rafaela and Story an exciting infield duo to watch.
"Yeah, I'm really excited to have him (Story) back and see the awesome player that he is," Rafaela said.
Advanced numbers like defensive runs saved show Rafaela has been elite in center field (plus-9) compared to shortstop (minus-2), but he's still been one of the Red Sox's most reliable players and hopes to remain so in the final stretch of the season.
Featured image via Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images
