Hernandez is expected to be the primary starter in center field after Boston signed Trevor Story on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was assumed to be the starter in center with Christian Arroyo poised to start at second base until the Story news broke Sunday. The one wrinkle was that if the Red Sox, who were looking to add a right-handed bat, signed an outfielder, they could move Hernandez back to second base. This news seemingly locks in Hernandez as an outfielder. Story has played mostly shortstop during his career but will move to second base, while Xander Bogaerts, the longest-tenured member of the Red Sox and a clubhouse leader, will continue at short.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Hernandez could be the starting center fielder on Opening Day, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora left some wiggle room, stating the team is still looking to add bodies that could help improve the team, but the manager mentioned an outfield of Hernandez in center, Alex Verdugo in left and Jackie Bradley in right. Bradley, a defensive whiz who patrolled center field for several years in a Red Sox uniform, was originally seen as the starter there, but Cora is not locked into that. Hernandez could also start at second base, pending additional player acquisitions between now and Opening Day.

Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a pair of runs scored in Saturday's ALCS Game 2 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez just won't stop hitting. He singled and scored on Rafael Devers' grand slam in the second inning and stretched the Red Sox's lead to nine with a solo shot off Jake Odorizzi in the third. He's now homered five times in seven games this postseason while going 16-for-32 at the plate.

Hernandez went 4-for-5 with two solo home runs, a double and a strikeout in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez has recorded hits in five of his six postseason appearances in 2021, and Friday's contest marked the second time that the 30-year-old has recorded at least three extra-base hits in a game during the 2021 playoffs. He's hit .500 with four home runs, four doubles, eight RBI and seven runs across his six playoff outings this year.

Hernandez went 3-for-6 with a home run, two RBI and a strikeout in Sunday's 6-4 win in Game 3 of the ALDS.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez tallied five hits in Friday's Game 2 victory, and he stayed hot by reaching base three times and homering for a second straight contest Sunday. The 30-year-old has gone 9-for-19 with two homers, five runs, five RBI and a walk across four appearances since the start of the postseason.

Hernandez went 5-for-6 with a home run, three doubles, three runs and three RBI in Friday's 14-6 win over the Rays in Game 2 of the ALDS.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was held without a hit in the first game of the series, but he bounced back Friday and played a key role in the win. Across his three postseason appearances in 2021, the 29-year-old has gone 6-for-13 with four extra-base hits, four runs, three RBI and a walk.

Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez took Alexander Wells yard on the first pitch of the game to record his 19th home run of the season. He now has at least one hit in eight of his last 10 starts, four of which have been multi-hit efforts. In that same span, Hernandez has also recorded two home runs, five RBI and nine runs scored. On the campaign, Hernandez has maintained a .250/.335/.448 line across 570 plate appearances.

Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez did it with the stick, swatting his 18th homer, and the arm when he threw out Pete Alonso at home plate, which prevented the Mets from taking a 3-0 lead. He's been active during Boston's six-game winning streak, getting on base 10 times over 27 plate appearances and scoring seven runs.

Hernandez went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in Sunday's 8-6 win against Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez drew a walk and scored in the first inning before doubling in a run in the second. He later drove in the game-tying run and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh. It was Hernandez's second straight multi-hit game, improving his season slash line to .251/.335/.447 with 78 runs scored and 54 extra-base hits. Sunday was his third multi-hit game since returning from the injured list on Sep. 7.

Hernandez went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in Tuesday's 12-7 loss to Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez missed nearly two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19, and he had a far from triumphant return to the lineup Tuesday. The utility man slashed .305/.426/.500 with three home runs, 12 RBI and 18 runs scored through 22 games in August, but it could take him a little more time to get back up to speed after his battle with the virus.