Boston swept the Cubs on Friday to clinch the fifth seed and a Wild Card Series with the Yankees, starting Tuesday in the Bronx. Mickey Gasper’s right-biceps injury is likely to end his season; Willson Contreras is also uncertain with a right-hand bone bruise.
Gasper played designated hitter, catcher and first base in 58 games. Over an 18-day stretch from mid-August into September, he hit eight home runs, drove in 15 runs and recorded a 1.525 OPS. Contreras, Boston’s OPS leader at .905 with 27 home runs, was unable to take batting practice on consecutive days this week.
If neither is available, Boston could turn to Nick Sogard, Andruw Monasterio or Isiah Kiner-Falefa for at-bats at first base or designated hitter. Yankees Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham took live at-bats Friday for a second session since Wednesday; Ryan Weathers threw an inning at up to 96 mph in his first outing since a forearm strain, keeping a possible Wild Card roster spot in play.
