BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox continue to get healthy as the team activated veteran utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the injured list ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. The 31-year-old infielder has been on the injured list since June 20 with a stress reaction in the left forearm. Now, after spending 12 days with Triple-A Worcester on a rehab assignment, he returns to the major league roster. 

Prior to landing on the injured list, Kiner-Falefa had performed well in an increased role, serving as the Red Sox' starting shortstop in Trevor Story's absence, hitting .277/.344/.361/.705 in 47 games before landing on the IL himself.

Now that he returns to Boston, here’s how Kiner-Falefa figures to factor into the Red Sox' plans down the stretch: 

The most valuable asset the veteran infielder brings to the table is his defensive versatility, having played every position on the diamond throughout his now eight-year major league career.

Shortstop

With Story just returning from the injured list himself, Kiner-Falefa will likely find himself spelling the veteran shortstop at the position fairly often. Boston had been using Andruw Monasterio in Story’s stead; however, Monasterio posted a -3 defensive runs saved in 459 innings at short, profiling as one of the worst defensive shortstops in baseball. Kiner-Falefa presents a much more stable defensive option at the position than Monasterio, posting a defensive runs saved of 33 in 3920 career innings at the position. 

Third base

Kiner-Falefa could also find himself spelling the struggling Caleb Durbin at third base. Durbin, who has been battling a pinky injury since dislocating it during the Red Sox series in Colorado, hit just .261/.364/.261/.625 over the final two weeks of August. In 1864 innings at third base, Kiner-Falefa has accumulated 31 defensive runs saved, 30 outs above average and a fielding run value of 23 while winning the Gold Glove at the position in 2020. 

First base

The final piece of Kiner-Falefa’s defensive tool belt was first base, a position he committed himself to learning upon signing with the Red Sox in an effort to increase his versatility. Ahead of Monday night’s series opener against Seattle, the Red Sox placed All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. 

While Boston recalled the hot-hitting Mickey Gasper to replace Contreras on the roster, they have been reluctant to play him against left-handed pitching, leaving Nick Sogard or Kiner-Falefa as the two most likely options to handle first against southpaws.