Boston Red Sox infielder Caleb Durbin returned to the starting lineup on Thursday night for the series opener against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park after escaping a serious finger injury.
The 26-year-old third baseman suffered a left pinky subluxation after sliding into first base during Wednesday's loss to the Colorado Rockies, forcing an early exit in the third inning.
Despite the injury and a heavily delayed flight from Denver, Durbin was penciled into the number six spot in the batting order by interim manager Chad Tracy.
Boston entered the four-game series with a 32-46 record, trailing the 48-31 Yankees by 15.5 games in the standings.
Left-hander Connelly Early took the mound for Boston against New York right-hander Cam Schlittler.
Manager Praises Durbin's Resilience
“I’m proud of that kid, man.
I think he was sitting in the postgame [clubhouse] and said he was more disappointed that they couldn't get it back in right away, and [he could] go back in the field,” said Chad Tracy, Red Sox interim manager.
“But they were able to get it back in, and all things considered, it was a little sore and he said he was ready to go.
So we dodged a bullet there. And you worry about when that happens -- is there a break in there?”
Tracy noted after Wednesday's game that the infielder's finger was visibly displaced before medical personnel addressed it, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
“kind of facing a direction it shouldn't,” said Tracy.
The manager explained that the team avoided a major setback after initial concerns regarding a potential fracture.
“able to pop it back in,” said Tracy.
Durbin explained that the finger actually realigned on its own once his glove was removed before undergoing medical X-rays at the stadium.
“I assume so, because I looked at it originally and it wasn't straight, and then when I went to do the X-rays after the glove came off, it was straight,” said Caleb Durbin, Red Sox third baseman.
“I didn't want to look at it, but when I took the glove off, it straightened up.”
The infielder entered Thursday riding a six-game hitting streak, batting . 317 over his last 23 games compared to a .
163 average during his first 48 games of the season.
“I'll talk to the trainers. I haven't talked to them yet.
In my head, I was thinking, just tape it to my other finger when I hit,” said Durbin.
“And I do two fingers in the pinky when I field anyways.
I've dry swung already, so I have a general idea of it with adrenaline, too, and getting it warmed up with the training staff, I don't see it being really an issue at all.”
The team confirmed their starting lineup on social media ahead of the high-stakes matchup against their long-time AL East rivals.
"1st of 4," said Red Sox official account, Bluesky post.
