Hernandez (illness) will rejoin the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez rejoined the Red Sox on Monday, and manager Alex Cora confirmed Tuesday that Hernandez will return to the lineup and start in center field. The 30-year-old had been sidelined since Aug. 27 after he tested positive for COVID-19, but he'll be reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Tuesday's matchup against Tampa Bay.

Hernandez (illness) rejoined the Red Sox on Monday and could be activated from the COVID-19 injured list as soon as Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Both Hernandez and relief pitcher Josh Taylor were cleared to join the team after completing quarantine periods upon landing on the COVID-19 injured list about a week and a half ago. Taylor could be activated from the IL ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Rays, but Hernandez will have to wait at least one more day to make his return to the lineup. Hernandez was able to complete a workout Monday, signaling that he's feeling well physically following his quarantine.

Hernandez could return from the COVID-19 list early next week, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old has been inactive since August 26 but manager Alex Cora is hopeful that he will return sooner rather than later. Hernandez is one of multiple players the Red Sox expect to be reinstated in the coming week including Xander Bogaerts and Christian Arroyo.

Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Hernandez's (illness) condition has improved dramatically since he tested positive for COVID-19 last week, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports. Hernandez could be ready to return from the COVID-19 injured list at some point during the Red Sox's weekend series with Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez is one of seven known Red Sox players who has tested positive for the virus within the past week, but he looks as though he could the first of the infected players to make his way back from the IL. Based on Cora's comments, Hernandez doesn't sound like he'll need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated, though the training staff may want to evaluate him in on-field workout beforehand. Once activated, Hernandez should immediately take over as Boston's everyday second baseman.

Hernandez was placed on the COVID-19 injured list after testing positive for the virus Friday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

A positive test typically means a player is forced to be out for 10 days, but per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, Hernandez could miss less time because he is vaccinated. Christian Arroyo was also placed on the COVID-19 list as a close contact, so the Red Sox will be without both of their main second base options for an extended period. Infielders Yairo Munoz and Jonathan Arauz were recalled from Triple-A Worcester and figure to man the position in the interim. Travis Shaw could also be a candidate to handle the keystone, though it's unclear if Boston will consider going that direction given he hasn't played there since 2019.

Hernandez went 3-for-6 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 9-6 extra-inning loss to Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

The utility man remains hot at the plate, going 17-for-47 (.362) with two home runs, eight RBI and 14 runs scored since Aug. 11. Hernandez's homer Wednesday was a little too late, as it was the last run Boston mustered while trying to come back from a five-run deficit in the 10th inning. Hernandez is slashing .258/.345/.467 with 17 homers, 51 RBI, 69 runs scored and a stolen base through 478 plate appearances.

Hernandez is slashing .353/.477/.471 with four doubles, 10 runs, five RBI and a 8:4 BB:K over his last 10 starts.

EDGE Analysis

Though the Red Sox have gone .500 during that 10-game stretch to fall behind the surging Yankees in the American League East standings, Hernandez has done his part to spark Boston atop the lineup. During his recent offensive surge, Hernandez has raised his season OPS from .776 to .793, just 13 points behind his career-best mark in any season where he's logged at least 400 plate appearances.

Hernandez went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs Wednesday in the Red Sox's 20-8 win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez was one of six Red Sox starters with multiple hits in Boston's highest-scoring game since 2015. The offensive outburst ended a rough six-game stretch for Hernandez, who went 2-for-22 in those contests.

Hernandez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's series opener in Detroit, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Consecutive multi-hit performances have Hernandez hitting .333 with three extra-base hits and six runs in his last 10 games. Marwin Gonzalez, just activated from the injured list, is starting at second base and batting seventh.

Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI on Thursday against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Hernandez provided clutch offense late in the game for Boston. That began with a sacrifice fly that tied the game in the seventh inning. However, his biggest hit came in the ninth frame, when he doubled in two runs with two outs to once again bring the Red Sox level. Through 344 plate appearances this season, Hernandez has hit .241/.320/.462 with 14 home runs, 47 runs scored and 38 RBI.