Willson Contreras back in Red Sox lineup for Dodgers finale after clearing concussion protocol

LOS ANGELES — Willson Contreras was back in the Red Sox lineup for Sunday night’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers after clearing concussion protocol. Boston’s first baseman will bat cleanup in the last game of the three-game set at Dodger Stadium, according to Sportsnet MLB.

The appearance ended a short but uncertain stretch for the Red Sox. Contreras was hit on the side of the helmet in the third inning of Friday’s win over the Dodgers and left the game. He was then held out of Saturday’s 3-2 Red Sox victory while working through the final steps of the concussion checks.

Por que importa

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Contreras passed the remaining steps needed to return to action. By Sunday night, his name was back on the lineup card in the cleanup spot.

What happened Friday night
Contreras was struck by a fastball from Dodgers pitcher Will Klein. The pitch hit the side of his helmet during the third inning and forced him out of the at-bat. Team medical staff examined him after he exited the game. The club did not immediately say how long he might be sidelined, but holding him out Saturday made clear the medical staff was taking the necessary precautions.

The season behind the return
Before Sunday’s game, Contreras carried a .288 batting average with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs. That production helped earn him his fourth All-Star selection this season. His return gives the Red Sox a right-handed cleanup hitter who had been driving in runs consistently all year, and it keeps Boston’s usual middle-of-the-order structure in place for the series finale.

Why Sunday’s game mattered
Boston won the first two games of the series, so a win Sunday would complete a three-game sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The original report did not include updated standings or playoff math, but the more immediate issue for the Red Sox was simply getting Contreras back on the field after a frightening-looking play. The Dodgers had not announced any further comment from Klein or the Los Angeles club by the time the lineup was confirmed.

What remains unclear
Sportsnet’s report did not specify which concussion tests remained before his return or whether Contreras would face follow-up monitoring after the game. It also did not say whether any restrictions would apply at first base. Those details may come in postgame updates, but for now the confirmed fact is that Contreras cleared the protocol and was in the lineup.

The quick facts

Player: Willson Contreras, Red Sox first baseman
Status: Cleared concussion protocol; returned to lineup Sunday
Injury: Hit on side of helmet by Dodgers pitcher Will Klein on Friday; left the game
Saturday: Held out of Boston’s 3-2 win over the Dodgers
Season line: .288 average, 23 home runs, 67 RBIs; fourth All-Star selection

Source: Sportsnet MLB — “Red Sox’s Willson Contreras back in lineup for series finale against Dodgers,” https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/red-soxs-willson-contreras-back-in-lineup-for-series-finale-against-dodgers/

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