Red Sox CF Ceddanne Rafaela leaves game in 3rd inning on same day he comes off injured list

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, who came off the injured list on Wednesday, left the game against the Cleveland Guardians in the third inning after pulling up while running out a single in the second.

Rafaela, who started and made a diving catch on the game’s first batter, had been sidelined since Sept. 3 with a right quad strain.

The team announced that he left with right hamstring tightness.

He singled off the Green Monster in the second inning and came up lame at the first-base bag. He was visited by manager Chad Tracy and a trainer, jogged a bit down the right-field foul line and stayed in the game.

He then trotted out to his position for the top of the third, but came walking off. He was replaced by Jarren Duran.

Rafaela, who won his first Gold Glove last season, made a headlong dive to rob Steve Kwan in right center on the third pitch of the game. He handled all three putouts the first inning.

He was batting .284 with with 16 homers and 70 RBIs coming into Wednesday's game.

To make room for him, the club optioned INF/OF Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester.

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