Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox optioned Bobby Dalbec to Triple-A Worcester. (Source: Rob Bradford on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Dalbec will head back down to the minors following Thursday's 3-1 loss against the Giants.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Romy Gonzalez will begin his rehab assignment on Friday. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Gonzalez has been on the injured list since April 13 due to a left wrist sprain. He will likely play in a handful of rehab games before he is activated.

Brayan Bello will make a rehab start with Double-A Portland on Tuesday. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bello has been sidelined for close to two weeks due to tightness in his right lat. It is unclear if this will be his last rehab start or not.

Masataka Yoshida (thumb) might require surgery, per manager Alex Cora. (Source: Alex Speier on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Yoshida landed on the injured list Wednesday with a left thumb strain. The team’s medical staff is still working on determining the best course of action, but surgery is on the table.

Vaughn Grissom (hamstring/illness) is feeling better and will travel to Minnesota with the team. (Source: Gabrielle Starr on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Grissom is close to 100 percent and is ready to make his season debut. Fantasy managers should expect him to return this weekend against the Twins.

Zack Short is in the Red Sox lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Short was just acquired by Boston on Wednesday. He is 1-for-12 at the plate so far this season.

Dominic Smith is not in the Red Sox lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Smith made his debut with Boston where he went 1-for-4. He figures to see time at first base and designated hitter with the Red Sox this season.

Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Worcester Thursday. (Source: Alex Speier on X)

Fantasy Impact: The Red Sox added infielder Zack Short to their 40-man roster and as a result, optioned Valdez to their Triple-A club. Valdez was hitting just .156 with two home runs over 28 games with Boston.

Kutter Crawford delivered a strong performance in Wednesday's 6-2 victory over the Giants, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings.

Fantasy Impact: This outing not only secured his second win of the season but also underscored his growing reliability in fantasy lineups. With a season ERA now impressively low at 1.56 and a WHIP of 1.07, Crawford is making a case for himself as more than just a streaming option. His consistent strikeout ability, evidenced by a 8.93 K/9 rate, combined with a solid 3.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio, suggests that maintaining him in fantasy rotations could pay off, especially if he continues to mitigate damage and control the game as he did against the Giants.

Connor Wong went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in the Red Sox's 6-2 win over the Giants.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included two doubles, contributing significantly to the team's offense. This game continues a strong season for Wong, who now boasts a .366 batting average. While his low walk rate might be a concern for some, his slugging ability and knack for driving in runs can offset that, particularly in formats that prioritize power stats and RBIs.

Cooper Criswell delivered an impressive performance in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the Giants, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out four.

Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a strong start to the 2024 season for Criswell, who now boasts a 1.65 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP through 16 1/3 innings. While his strikeout rate isn't elite, his solid control and ability to induce weak contact suggest he can be a reliable starter. Fantasy managers should consider him a viable option in deeper leagues or as a streaming choice in favorable matchups.

Garrett Cooper was removed from Tuesday’s game with a right wrist contusion. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Cooper was hit in the wrist by a pitch in the fifth inning and was removed from the game. Fantasy managers should expect Cooper to undergo additional testing. He should be considered day-to-day for now.

The Red Sox designated Pablo Reyes for assignment Monday. (Source: Red Sox on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Reyes was moved Monday to make room for Garrett Cooper on the 40-man roster. Reyes is versatile and will likely have suitors on the waiver wire.

Tanner Houck allowed one run on four hits across 6 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts on Sunday against the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: Houck delivered another strong performance, now boasting a 1.60 ERA on the season. He was on pace to earn the win until the Cubs tied the game in the eighth inning. He is scheduled to face the Twins next.

Garrett Whitlock (oblique) has not thrown off a mound since landing on the injured list. (Source: Christopher Smith on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Whitlock was placed on the injured list on April 17 and it appears he is going to miss a significant amount of time. The right-hander is still dealing with the left oblique strain and will likely need a lengthy rehab assignment once he is able to begin mound work.

Jarren Duran went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI in the Red Sox's dominant 17-0 victory over the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: Adding a walk and scoring once, Duran's performance contributed to a massive team effort. Despite a modest .252 season batting average, Duran's ability to get on base and score runs remains a key asset in deeper fantasy leagues, especially given his speed that has netted him eight stolen bases so far. His consistent playing time and role in the lineup suggest potential for steady, if not spectacular, fantasy value moving forward, particularly in categories like runs scored and stolen bases.

Ceddanne Rafaela went 4-for-4 in a dominant win over the Cubs, featuring two doubles, a home run, three runs scored, seven RBI, and a stolen base.

Fantasy Impact: This performance is a bright spot in what has been a challenging season for Rafaela, who entered the game with a mere .191 batting average. His explosive output could be a turning point, offering hope for increased productivity. Fantasy managers should remain cautious but consider Rafaela as a potential waiver wire pickup, especially in deeper leagues or formats that reward extra-base hits and RBI. His ability to contribute across multiple categories, as shown in this game, provides a glimpse of his upside if he finds consistency.

Tyler O'Neill went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, three runs scored, and two RBI in the Red Sox's dominant 17-0 victory over the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: This performance underscores O'Neill's solid start to the season, boosting his batting average to .333 and his home run tally to nine in just 19 games. His power-hitting capabilities are evident, and his ability to drive in runs and score frequently adds considerable value in all fantasy formats. While his strikeout rate remains a concern at 0.225, his high wOBA of .491 indicates that when he does make contact, it's often impactful. Fantasy managers should continue to ride his hot streak, especially in leagues that reward power numbers and run production.

Josh Winckowski delivered a solid performance, allowing just three hits and striking out one over three innings in the Red Sox's dominant 17-0 victory over the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: This outing was a breath of fresh air for Winckowski, who has been battling with a high WHIP and BABIP this season. His performance today, characterized by efficient pitching and zero earned runs, could hint at a turning point. However, fantasy managers should remain cautious. Despite today's success, his season-long numbers, including a 3.50 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP, suggest inconsistency. His high strikeout rate remains appealing, but his overall reliability as a fantasy option is still questionable until he shows more consistent control and effectiveness in subsequent appearances.

The Red Sox have moved Triston Casas (ribs) to the 60-day IL. (Source: Red Sox on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The move will mean that Casas will miss at least two months with a cartilage tear in his left ribcage. The move will free up a roster spot and a spot on the 40-man roster for Garrett Cooper, who should see the bulk of the playing time at first base.