Rafaela went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Rafaela's fifth-inning, two-run shot gave Boston a lead it never relinquished. It was the Red Sox's first home run in a span of 220 at-bats dating back to April 27 when Rafaela connected as part of a four-hit game against the Cubs. He was hitting just .156 leading up to that four-hit game, which appears to have triggered his bat. Rafaela has hit safely in seven of the last eight contests, going 10-for-29 (.345) with six extra-base hits, seven RBI and six runs scored.

Rafaela went 4-for-4 with a home run and seven RBI in Saturday's 17-0 victory over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

There were big numbers throughout the Red Sox' lineup in this laugher, but Rafaela takes top billing. His home run came in the seventh inning off reliever Colten Brewer, and he also had a pair of doubles, one of which that cleared the bases in the fifth inning. As if that wasn't enough, Rafaela also stole his fourth base of the season and scored three runs. The 23-year-old had just 14 hits all season coming into Saturday's action, along with a 26.8 percent strikeout rate. While Saturday's performance was a peak at Rafaela's upside, he'll likely remain a volatile fantasy play.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Rafaela is the team's everyday shortstop at this point, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora has said as much through his actions -- giving Rafaela a sixth straight start at shortstop Thursday -- and now he has confirmed it with his words. Rafaela's defense both at shortstop and in center field is considered plus, and using him at shortstop with Trevor Story (shoulder) out for the season frees up the team's outfield log jam. With Rafaela settling in at shortstop, Wilyer Abreu has become an everyday player in the outfield, making 10 straight starts.

Rafaela started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-0 win over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Rafaela made a fifth consecutive start at shortstop, which could be his primary home for the rest of the season. While his defense in center field will be missed, moving him to the infield allows the Red Sox to get better bats into the lineup. That's is important for a team missing Trevor Story (shoulder) and Triston Casas (rib).

Rafaela went 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 8-1 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The 23-year-old got the start at shortstop and committed an error in the opening frame that nearly led to a Pittsburgh run, but Rafaela quickly atoned with an RBI fielder's choice in the second inning and a solo shot off Roansy Contreras in the sixth. The long ball was his first of the season while the steal was his second, but his .167/.208/.303 slash line and 3:19 K:BB through 21 games remain disappointing. Rafaela remains a near-everyday player for the Red Sox, but he could get squeezed for playing time on the infield when Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) comes off the IL.

Rafaela will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been adamant that the plan is to keep Rafaela in center field even after Trevor Story's season-ending shoulder injury. However, the skipper said Monday that Wilyer Abreu will become an everyday player versus righties moving forward, per Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, which would seem to point to more regular action for Rafaela at shortstop. Monday's start at shortstop is the 23-year-old's first at the position this season.

Rafaela isn't in Boston's lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rafaela will get a breather after going 2-for-13 with two RBI across his last five games. Tyler O'Neill, Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu will start across the outfield while Rafaela sits.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Rafaela will see some playing time at second base and shortstop going forward, Jen McCaffrey of The Athleticreports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora recently downplayed the possibility of the 23-year-old playing shortstop in the immediate aftermath of Trevor Story's shoulder injury, but the skipper has apparently changed his mind. Rafaela should still see most of his playing time in center field, but it's possible he gains eligibility at shortstop or second base if Boston's middle infield continues to have issues with injuries and ineffectiveness.

Rafaela has agreed to terms on a contract extension with the Red Sox, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com hears the deal is for eight years and $50 million, which would buy out the 23-year-old arbitration years and first two years of free agency. It's the second young player the Red Sox have locked up on a long-term contract after they inked Brayan Bello during spring training. Rafaela has hit only .239/.282/.389 over his first 38 major-league games, but he has displayed elite defense in center field and Boston is optimistic his bat will eventually come around.

Rafaela went 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 12-2 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Rafaela started the game on the bench, giving him a chance to reset amid a rough start. The outfielder entered the game slashing .185/.250/.296, while chasing pitches outside the zone at a rate of 47 percent. "His timing's off," manager Alex Cora told Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. "Late on the fastballs, early on the offspeed pitches. Like the great Carlos Delgado used to say, 'You're in a bad spot if that happens.' We'll work on it, but it's just part of the growing pains." Rafaela entered the blowout as a pinch hitter for Wilyer Abreu and put together some of his best swings of the season, including an opposite-field triple off the fence.