Rafaela isn't in Boston's lineup Saturday versus the Rays.
Rafaela is just 5-for-35 with five RBI over his last 10 games and will grab a seat on the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Vaughn Grissom will get the nod to start at second base and bat ninth.
Rafaela is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Toronto, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Rafaela appears to be receiving a routine day off after he started each of the previous five contests. Jarren Duran will shift over to center field in Rafaela's stead, and Enmanuel Valdez will cover second base for the Red Sox.
Rafaela is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Tampa Bay, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Rafaela is getting a breather after going 1-for-16 with seven strikeouts across his last five games. Nick Sogard will cover second base and bat ninth for the Red Sox.
Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Out of Saturday's lineup
Rotowire
Rafaela isn't in the Red Sox's lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Rafaela has been held hitless in eight at-bats through the first two games of the series, and he'll now get a chance to regroup as he sits Saturday. Enmanuel Valdez will start at second base and bat ninth.
Rafaela started at second base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 5-3 extra-inning win over the Orioles.
Rafaela made his second start at second base (fourth appearance overall) and first since shortstop Trevor Story was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. At the time of Story's return last week, the speculation was the Rafaela would move to second base, but that didn't occur until Wednesday's game.
