The Boston Red Sox were once again bitten by the injury bug in game one of Friday’s doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, as utility man Mickey Gasper departed in the sixth inning with a right biceps injury. 

After Friday's Game 2 win, manager Chad Tracy told reporters that Gasper's injury is significant and will likely keep him out of the postseason. 

The loss of Gasper is a massive hit to an already struggling Red Sox offense that ranks at or near the bottom of the league in nearly every offensive category in September, including runs, in which they’ve scored 67, nine fewer than the next closest team (Angels, 76). The 30-year-old utility player was set to start at designated hitter against right-handed pitching and could have found himself as the starting first baseman if Willson Contreras’ hand injury prevented him from playing. 

With Gasper now set to miss the postseason, these players will look to take on an increased role: 

Before Gasper's injury, Duran was likely to be in a bench role in Tuesday’s game one. Now, whether it be in left field or as the designated hitter, Duran will be in the lineup against right-handed pitching. 

It’s been a rough 2026 season for the 30-year-old spark plug as he’s hit just .208/.267/.362/.629, ranking in the bottom five among 134 qualified hitters in batting average (130th) and on-base percentage (133rd). Despite the rough year, Duran has still found ways to be productive in spurts, reaching the 20 home run, 20 stolen-base mark for the second time in his career. 

The 29-year-old utility man was likely on the outside looking in as the playoff roster began to take shape. He had a strong stretch after the All-Star break, hitting .381/.453/.571/1.025 in 18 games. However, in 30 games since, he’s hitting just .144/.210/.167/.377. 

With Gasper out and Contreras questionable, Monasterio’s ability to play across the infield could be enough to earn him a roster spot. 

Gonzalez is currently in Ft. Myers with the rest of the Red Sox postseason taxi squad. The 29-year-old Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 4 after a rough stretch in the big leagues that saw him hit .185/.264/.308/.572 in 19 games after returning from a shoulder injury that kept him out for the first 81 games of the season. However, he performed well in Worcester, hitting .347/.402/.526/.928 in 25 games to end the season. Like Monasterio, Gonzalez can play across the infield, giving him the option to start at first base or as the designated hitter. 

Regardless of who fills in for Gasper, it will be massive shoes to fill as the 30-year-old has been one of the best hitters in baseball since being recalled on Aug. 17. 

After sweeping Friday's day-night doubleheader against the Cubs, both teams will hop on a plane to escape the weather in New England and head down to Tampa, where the series finale will be played at Tropicana Field on Sunday afternoon. Neither team has announced its starter for Sunday's finale. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m. ET.