Red Sox activate Contreras, slot him cleanup vs Royals — SkimNews
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- Willson Contreras was activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday and was slated to bat cleanup against the Kansas City Royals after landing on the IL on Aug. 31 with a strained left hamstring.
- Contreras leads the Red Sox with a career-best 26 homers and 79 RBIs while hitting .274 entering his return.
- Contreras played two rehab games for Double-A Portland, going 2-for-7 with two RBIs before being activated.
- Interim manager Chad Tracy called Contreras "the aircraft carrier there in the middle" of Boston's offense, telling reporters Friday that "when he's right, obviously inserting that bat is important."
- Anthony Seigler was placed on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation, an injury sustained during a swing in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Royals.
Why it matters: Boston regains its team leader in homers (26) and RBIs (79) with the cleanup spot intact, reinforcing the middle of a lineup chasing playoff positioning. The corresponding move — losing Seigler to the IL — reduces infield depth on the same day the offense gets its slugger back.
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