After Mayer’s injury, the Red Sox recalled infielder David Hamilton, and though Hamilton will see some time at second, Rafaela’s offense has been too valuable to the lineup. Playing him at second and Duran in center makes the offense stronger. The moving parts have been a challenge for manager Alex Cora much of the season and even more so now.

Four hundred feet from home plate, deep inside Fenway Park’s triangular center field, with a tall fly ball in the air and the game maybe on the line, Jarren Duran raced back, back, back, tracking it the whole way.

On Tuesday, against talented Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez, Alex Cora is sitting three key regulars (including Jarren Duran).