Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Kike Hernandez (COVID-19) is expected to make a return from the injured list soon, according to manager Alex Cora, after testing positive for COVID-19 and landing on the IL on August 27. The Red Sox have been plagued by the virus, losing multiple key players over the past couple of weeks. Hernandez has been a great addition to the Red Sox this season, slashing .258/.346/.465 with 17 HRs, 51 RBI, and 71 runs in 112 games. He's relevant in most leagues, and fantasy managers should put him right back in their lineup once he's back.

Boston Red Sox utility man Kike Hernandez has tested positive for COVID-19. He is experiencing symptoms, and will now miss some amount of game action. Fellow infielder Christian Arroyo was considered a close contact and was also placed on the COVID list. Infielders Yairo Munoz and Jonathan Arauz were recalled, and both started on Friday night. Those who test positive generally miss 10 days, but Hernandez may be eligible to return sooner, as he is vaccinated. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for updates on both Hernandez and Arroyo.

Boston Red Sox utility man Kike Hernandez had a big day at the plate Wednesday night, going 3-for-6 with a double, a home run, and two runs scored, but unfortunately it was not enough to avoid a 9-6 extra-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins. Hernandez has now homered in back-to-back games, and is slashing .321/.443/.518 over his last 56 at-bats in 15 games. He ought to be rostered in all formats at this point.

Boston Red Sox utility man Kike Hernandez added a big two-run home run in the ninth inning Tuesday to ensure an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins. He went 2-for-5 in the game with two runs scored. It's his first home run since August 4, but that hasn't stopped him from having a very successful month, slashing .292/.422/.458 in 72 at-bats. Hernandez needs to be rostered in all leagues, as he's been a strong contributor for months now.

Boston Red Sox utility man Kike Hernandez came around to score four runs against the Baltimore Orioles Saturday. It's the most runs he's scored in a game this season, and he now has eight in his past four games. He went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch before being removed from the game. Hernandez has thrived in the leadoff role this year, and he now has a .799 OPS to go with 15 homers, 63 runs, and 44 RBI. He should be rostered in every league.

Boston Red Sox utility man Kike Hernandez got the offense going right away in Wednesday's blowout 20-8 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, leading off with a double and eventually going 3-for-5 with another double and three runs scored. Hernandez is no longer in question as the leadoff option for Boston, and though the offense has sputtered of late, this game showed the explosive potential. Hernandez should score plenty of runs from that spot, and he's also posted a .517 slugging percentage over his last thirty games. It's past time to give him an add in fantasy leagues.

Boston Red Sox utility man Kike Hernandez was back in the lineup batting leadoff against the Detroit Tigers after a day off Tuesday, and apparently the rest did him good as he went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, a walk, and two RBI. The homer was his 15th of the year, and he's now raised his season OPS all the way to .806. He's been even better over his last 30 games, slashing .307/.412/.623 with eight homers in that span. Hernandez offers a little bit of everything outside of stolen bases, and he's turning himself into a must-roster option.

Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Kike Hernandez is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Wily Peralta and the Detroit Tigers. Marwin Gonzalez is getting the start at second base while Jarren Duran is manning center field and leading off. Hernandez has been providing a great spark at the top of the Red Sox lineup over the past month or so. In July, he slashed .274/.381/.568 with six home runs, 15 RBI and 16 runs. Duran is a threat for playing time, but he's slashed just .150/.186/.300 over 14 games since being called up, so Hernandez should continue to lead off most games for now.

Boston Red Sox utility man Kike Hernandez provided a spark from the top of the lineup yet again Sunday, going 3-for-5 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hernandez has settled in as the primary leadoff man for Boston, and there's plenty of value to be derived in terms of run-scoring from that spot, though the Red Sox offense has been flat of late. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on how the batting order shuffles when Kyle Schwarber joins the team, but Hernandez is still worth a roster spot with his .787 OPS, 14 home runs, 53 runs, and 39 RBI.

The Cleveland Indians have broken COVID-19 protocols for the third time in less than a year, this time costing them third baseman José Ramírez and slugger Franmil Reyes. Manager Terry Francona said Sunday the two players were sent to their Arizona homes while the Indians wait to hear from Major League Baseball when they can rejoin the team. Francona said Reyes, who had a virus-related misstep last season, and Ramirez went out to dinner on Friday following an exhibition game in Mesa against the Chicago Cubs. They reported to the team’s complex on Saturday and were immediately sent away. They did not have contact with any other players or team personnel. “The players themselves actually self-reported that they had made a mistake," Francona said on a Zoom call. When spring training resumed last year after being stopped due to the pandemic, Reyes was forced to quarantine after the team learned via a social media posting that he attended a July 4 party while wearing a mask. A month later, the... [More]

Red Sox manager Alex Cora isn’t your usual Florida tourist. “It’s an off-day here tomorrow. Hopefully it rains and it’s cold,” he said on Sunday as he prepared for the team to take its first full break of spring training. It’s not that Cora doesn’t like sunshine. He would just prefer that his players stay home with their families and not risk any potential COVID-19 exposure. With bad weather, he said, “There’s no temptation of going to the beach or going to an outdoor restaurant or whatever. So I’ll be praying for that.” The actual forecast for Fort Myers, where Boston trains: mostly sunny, high in the low 70s, almost zero chance of rain. What started in the early days of the pandemic as a health concern has also become a competitive issue for baseball teams, who have been reminded over the past year that a player on the COVID-19 list can't help them win games. “You protect yourself for the right reason, to protect your family. That’s No. 1,” Cora said. “But now we’re getting to the baseball... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mookie Betts is leaping into the World Series, carrying to the Los Angeles Dodgers with his glove rather than with his bat. The star right fielder made his third terrific catch in three days, this time robbing Freddie Freeman of a home run and helping the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 Sunday night in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. Los Angeles trailed 3-2 in the fifth inning, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts already had brought on his third pitcher when the Braves made a bid to widen their lead. Freeman drove a cutter deep to right field, and Betts sprinted to the wall and jumped, just to the side of a credit-card advertisement. His glove above the eight-foot top, he snatched the ball as it was headed over. Run saved! Another web gem, perhaps even more impressive than his robberies of Dansby Swanson in Game 5 with a shoestring grab and of Marcell Ozuna in Game 6 against the wall a little bit more toward center. “I feel like I did something good for the... [More]

Oct. 19 1972 — The Oakland A’s rallied for two ninth-inning runs for a 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds to take a 3-1 lead in the World Series. 1976 — The Cincinnati Reds took a commanding 3-0 lead over the New York Yankees in the World Series with a 6-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. Cincinnati designated hitter Dan Driessen had a single, double, home run and a walk to lead the attack. Jim Mason had a solo homer in the seventh inning for the only home run by the Yankees in the series. 1981 — Los Angeles’ Rick Monday hit a ninth-inning home run to give the Dodgers a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Expos and the National League pennant. 1999 — Kenny Rogers walked Andruw Jones with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 11th inning, sending the Atlanta Braves to the World Series with a 10-9 victory over the New York Mets in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series. 2004 — Curt Schilling, pitching on a dislocated ankle tendon held down by three sutures put in the day before, gave up one... [More]

Dodgers first. Mookie Betts grounds out to shortstop, Carlos Correa to Abraham Toro. Corey Seager grounds out to shallow right field to Abraham Toro. AJ Pollock homers to left field. Max Muncy strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 1, Astros 0.Dodgers fifth. Cody Bellinger singles to shallow infield. Chris Taylor doubles to right field. Cody Bellinger to third. Joc Pederson grounds out to shallow infield, Jack Mayfield to Abraham Toro. Kike Hernandez singles to left field. Chris Taylor scores. Cody Bellinger scores. Mookie Betts homers to right field. Kike Hernandez scores. Corey Seager doubles to deep right field. AJ Pollock flies out to left field to Michael Brantley. Max Muncy strikes out swinging.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 5, Astros 0.Astros sixth. George Springer homers to center field. Alex Bregman lines out to second base to Chris Taylor. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow right field, Chris Taylor to Cody Bellinger. Carlos Correa called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 5, Astros 1.Dodgers eighth. AJ Pollock lines out to shallow left field to Carlos Correa. Max Muncy singles to center field. Will Smith doubles. Max Muncy to third. Cody Bellinger flies out to shallow left field to Michael Brantley. Chris Taylor homers to center field. Will Smith scores. Max Muncy scores. Joc Pederson grounds out to first base, Abraham Toro to Cy Sneed.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 8, Astros 1.

Astros first. George Springer doubles to shallow left field. Alex Bregman flies out to left field to AJ Pollock. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow center field, Kike Hernandez to Cody Bellinger. George Springer to third. Yuli Gurriel singles to shallow center field. George Springer scores. Kyle Tucker strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 1, Dodgers 0.Dodgers second. Max Muncy strikes out on a foul tip. Will Smith singles to left field. Cody Bellinger flies out to deep left field to Michael Brantley. Chris Taylor homers to right field. Will Smith scores. Kike Hernandez homers to right field. Gavin Lux flies out to left field to Michael Brantley.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 3, Astros 1.Dodgers third. Mookie Betts strikes out swinging. Corey Seager triples to deep center field. AJ Pollock out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Josh Reddick. Corey Seager scores. Max Muncy grounds out to second base, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel.1... [More]

Dodgers third. Mookie Betts grounds out to third base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Corey Seager homers to left field. AJ Pollock homers to left field. Max Muncy grounds out to shallow infield to Madison Bumgarner. Chris Taylor reaches on error. Throwing error by Eduardo Escobar. Cody Bellinger flies out to right field to Daulton Varsho.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks third. Josh Rojas reaches on error. Fielding error by Max Muncy. Josh VanMeter doubles to right field. Josh Rojas to third. Christian Walker doubles. Josh VanMeter scores. Josh Rojas scores. Kole Calhoun lines out to deep right field to Kike Hernandez. Christian Walker to third. Eduardo Escobar flies out to shallow center field to AJ Pollock. David Peralta called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 2.Diamondbacks sixth. David Peralta grounds out to shallow right field, Mookie Betts to Cody Bellinger. Nick Ahmed singles to center field. Daulton Varsho triples to deep right field. Nick Ahmed scores. Carson Kelly homers to center field. Daulton Varsho scores. Josh Rojas grounds out to shortstop, Corey Seager to Cody Bellinger. Josh VanMeter pops out to Corey Seager.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 2.

Dodgers first. Mookie Betts homers to center field. Corey Seager flies out to deep left center field to Daulton Varsho. Chris Taylor singles to left field. Cody Bellinger flies out to center field to Tim Locastro. Max Muncy walks. Chris Taylor to second. AJ Pollock lines out to shallow infield to Jon Jay.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Dodgers 1, Diamondbacks 0.Dodgers second. Will Smith flies out to left field to Daulton Varsho. Gavin Lux flies out to center field to Tim Locastro. Kike Hernandez homers to center field. Mookie Betts called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks second. Josh Rojas singles to shallow infield. Wyatt Mathisen singles to shallow infield. Josh Rojas to second. Daulton Varsho walks. Wyatt Mathisen to second. Josh Rojas to third. Carson Kelly grounds out to shallow left field, Corey Seager to Cody Bellinger. Daulton Varsho to second. Wyatt Mathisen to third. Josh Rojas scores. Jon Jay out on a sacrifice fly... [More]

Dodgers first. Gavin Lux pops out to shallow left field to Nolan Arenado. Corey Seager homers to left field. Max Muncy walks. Cody Bellinger pops out to shallow center field to Trevor Story. AJ Pollock called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 1, Rockies 0.Rockies second. Kevin Pillar pops out to Cody Bellinger. Matt Kemp singles to left field. Josh Fuentes homers to left field. Matt Kemp scores. Garrett Hampson flies out to center field to Chris Taylor. Elias Diaz singles to shallow infield. Raimel Tapia strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rockies 2, Dodgers 1.Dodgers second. Will Smith homers to center field. Chris Taylor walks. Matt Beaty grounds out to shallow infield. Chris Taylor out at second. Kike Hernandez grounds out to shallow infield, Ryan Castellani to Josh Fuentes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 2, Dodgers 2.Rockies fifth. Garrett Hampson singles to shallow infield. Elias Diaz strikes out on a foul tip. Garrett Hampson... [More]

Dodgers first. Mookie Betts lines out to deep left field to David Peralta. Corey Seager singles to center field. Max Muncy singles to shallow right field. Corey Seager to second. Cody Bellinger grounds out to first base to Christian Walker. Max Muncy to second. Corey Seager scores. Throwing error by Christian Walker. Chris Taylor singles to left center field. Max Muncy scores. Joc Pederson grounds out to shallow right field, Josh Rojas to Christian Walker.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks seventh. Nick Ahmed walks. Josh Rojas singles to center field. Nick Ahmed to third. Andy Young reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Josh Rojas out at second. Nick Ahmed scores. Daulton Varsho flies out to left center field to Joc Pederson. Carson Kelly lines out to right field to Mookie Betts.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 1.Dodgers seventh. AJ Pollock pinch-hitting for Joc Pederson. AJ Pollock homers to center field. Matt... [More]

Dodgers first. Mookie Betts strikes out swinging. Corey Seager walks. AJ Pollock singles to left center field. Corey Seager to second. Max Muncy singles to center field. AJ Pollock to second. Corey Seager to third. Chris Taylor walks. Max Muncy to second. AJ Pollock to third. Corey Seager scores. Will Smith flies out to right center field to Kole Calhoun. Kike Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Chris Taylor out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 4 left on. Dodgers 1, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks third. Daulton Varsho pops out to shallow infield to Julio Urias. Carson Kelly homers to center field. Tim Locastro singles to right field. Ketel Marte singles to right field. Tim Locastro to third. Christian Walker pops out to shortstop to Corey Seager. Eduardo Escobar lines out to deep left center field to Kike Hernandez.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Dodgers 1.Dodgers third. AJ Pollock doubles to left field. Max Muncy strikes out swinging. Chris Taylor... [More]