Red Sox veteran was ‘fighting for career, life;’ now he’s on hot streak with big, late hits

BOSTON — Ten days ago, veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa faced an uncertain future with the Red Sox. Signed to a one-year, $6 million contract to be a defensively sturdy backup infielder and clubhouse presence, Kiner-Falefa received just four plate appearances — and one start — in an 11-game, 13-day stretch from May 6-18.

Since Trevor Story hit the injured list with a sports hernia last week, things have changed a bit for the 31-year-old Kiner-Falefa, who has suddenly started four of Boston’s last six games, including Tuesday at third base. Given his biggest opportunity of the season so far, the veteran has delivered, as he’s 7-for-13 (.538) with a homer, five RBIs and a double since last Sunday.

Starting at third base in place of the scuffling Caleb Durbin, Kiner-Falefa twice brought the Red Sox within a run in a close game Tuesday. He hit his first homer in a Red Sox uniform to make it 5-4 in the seventh, then laced a two-run single in the ninth to bring the score to 7-6 in an eventual loss.

• BETTING: Red Sox moneyline is currently listed at -108 on FanDuel for Wednesday’s interleague game versus Atlanta. Our complete FanDuel Sportsbook review makes it easy to figure out how to use their platform.

For Kiner-Falefa, the results feel career-saving after a tough start to 2026.

“Fighting for my career, fighting for my life,” Kiner-Falefa said. “Scrapping for every at-bat I could get. Just understanding getting older and my playing time has been cut, not even playing at all.

“This is the situation I’ve been in most of my career when I wasn’t playing every day and it’s kinda been the same answer. It’s nice for them to give me an opportunity. I’m helping the team, but I wish I could do more.”

With Alex Bregman having departed for the Cubs and Marcelo Mayer a bit of an unknown heading into spring training, the Red Sox fortified their infield by agreeing to terms with Kiner-Falefa in mid-February, days before a trade with the Brewers brought Durbin and Andruw Monasterio. The plan was for Kiner-Falefa to back up Story at shortstop and platoon with Mayer at second base while also seeing time at the corner positions as a defensive replacement.

Through 47 games to start the season, Kiner-Falefa had made just 13 starts and logged 46 plate appearances. He hit .214 with one extra-base hit (a double) and a .505 OPS in that span. With a $6 million salary, there were questions about whether Kiner-Falefa still deserved a roster spot. Then, Story’s injury forced Mayer to move to shortstop with interim manager Chad Tracy electing to rotate Kiner-Falefa, Monasterio and Nick Sogard at second while also giving Durbin less playing time at third.

Kiner-Falefa has seen three starts at shortstop and one at third base in the last six games. He’ll likely be in the lineup in some form Wednesday, too.

“I’m just scrapping for every opportunity,” he said.

Kiner-Falefa’s defense has never been in question but he entered the season with a career .660 OPS — and just 36 homers — in 918 career games with four different clubs. He came to Boston hoping for a late-career offensive renaissance similar to that of Marcus Semien, whom Kiner-Falefa admired for starting to pull the ball in the air more after turning 30. Another potential source of inspiration was ex-Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder, who became a more complete offensive player after signing in Boston.

Throughout the transition from hitting coach Pete Fatse to the new, John Soteropulos-led staff, Kiner-Falefa has felt like he made strides.

“The new hitting coaches have been doing a great job with trying to elevate the ball to left field,” he said. “To get some results is just showing that all the work I’ve been putting in is working. They understand where I’m at in my career and I’m giving them the full leeway to help me develop. That’s the reason I signed here, to be developed as a hitter.”

Those results have shown in the last two games with Kiner-Falefa clearing the Green Monster once — and nearly doing it, in more dramatic circumstances, Sunday, too. On a much warmer night, his Tuesday shot against tough lefty Dylan Lee traveled farther (393 feet vs. 353 feet). But he still thought he hit the Sunday ball better.

“Not as good as the other one,” he mused. “I got out of the box hard. That one didn’t feel like the other day. The other day, I thought I crushed it and the exit velo is actually lower. Maybe it was the rain on the bat and the ball’s wet. I don’t know. But I got out of the box this time.”

Just like Sunday, Kiner-Falefa’s big ninth-inning hit was merely a footnote as the Red Sox dropped their fourth straight game and fell to 8-18 at Fenway Park.

“It’s a loss, but at least we’re fighting,” he said. “The fight has been great. Just haven’t been able to win.

“It doesn’t feel great. We’re lucky to be in the American League and we’ve just got to keep going. Hopefully, we string some together and other teams lose. We’re honestly just lucky to be in the American League.”

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.