Contreras activated from IL, returns to Red Sox lineup vs. KC

BOSTON -- With two weeks left in the regular season, the Red Sox welcomed a major addition back to their lineup on Sunday afternoon.

Willson Contreras was activated from the injured list and got the start at first base, batting fourth in Boston’s rubber match against Kansas City. The right-handed hitter, who leads Boston with 26 home runs, played in two rehab games with Double-A Portland, going 2-for-7 with a run scored and two RBIs.

“I think he's in a good spot,” interim manager Chad Tracy said ahead of Sunday’s series finale. “I haven't got to fully talk to Willson yet, but I think the point of it was to get it to a point where he felt confident in it, where he can go out and play and not have to worry. And I’d at least like to think we've got to that point, which is good. So I'll have more conversations with him today once he's warmed up and I get to see him.”

Contreras was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain on Aug. 31, after the ailment slowed his production for much of the month. Though they’ve maintained their position in the AL Wild Card race, the Red Sox offense has suffered without their “heart and soul,” as ace Sonny Gray has called the power-hitting righty. Aside from home runs, Contreras leads the team in RBIs (79), OBP (.384), SLG (.516) and OPS (.900).

In a corresponding move, Anthony Seigler was placed on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation. Seigler exited Saturday’s win over the Royals after experiencing pain in his right wrist following a swing during the fourth inning. Tracy said Seigler underwent a fluoroscan on Saturday, which came back negative, but the infielder will undergo further testing in Boston while the Red Sox head to Arlington for a three-game set against the Rangers starting Tuesday.

“We don't have any extra answers on what it is yet,” Tracy said. “He's still very sore today. So he'll stay here [for] the coming days of the next week, get more workups and imaging to figure out exactly what it is.”