Mickey Gasper's biceps injury clouds Red Sox Wild Card plans

The Red Sox enter the final day of the regular season with an important postseason roster question. Mickey Gasper hurt his right biceps during Friday's doubleheader opener against the Cubs, and manager Chad Tracy said after the games that the injury appeared significant. MLB's team report says Gasper will see more doctors before the club reaches a final conclusion. He has not been formally ruled out of the Wild Card Series.

Gasper felt the injury during a fifth-inning strikeout against Clay Holmes and left the 4–3 win. MLB's video shows the game exit; Connor Wong replaced him and later hit the go-ahead double. Gasper did not play in the nightcap, which Boston won 2–0.

The timing matters because Gasper had forced his way into the postseason lineup discussion. MLB reports that 10 of his 12 career home runs came in his last 33 games, a stretch beginning Aug. 17 in which he posted a 1.082 OPS over 106 plate appearances. He offered Boston several ways to use its roster: catcher, first base or designated hitter. The Yankees await the Red Sox in a best-of-three Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday in New York.

Boston's options depend on more than Gasper's exam. Willson Contreras has a right hand injury, and MLB's report says his return for the postseason was still uncertain as of Saturday. If Gasper is unavailable, the club may have to rearrange its left-field and DH assignments against right-handed pitching. MLB identified Jarren Duran in left with Roman Anthony at DH as one possible configuration, but Boston has not announced its playoff lineup.

The immediate decision remains medical. Boston.com's local report also relayed Tracy's assessment and noted that Gasper underwent an MRI. Until the club provides a final diagnosis and postseason roster, the supported conclusion is that his availability is in serious doubt, not that his season is officially over. Boston plays its regular-season finale against the Cubs on Sunday before turning to the Yankees.