Boston clinched a playoff position yesterday, eliminating the other AL Wildcard contenders, and the team remains only two and a half as games back of the Yankees in the AL East, so the Red Sox could still take the division, leaving New York the wildcard. Lenny DiNardo, Byung-Hyun Kim, and Ellis Burks all returned from the disabled list to aid Boston's cause against the Yankees.

DiNardo evidently encountered a problem with his biceps after going on the disabled list with a blister in early July. While the 25-year-old pitched fairly effectively for the Red Sox, Boston likely did not mind the roster flexibility created by the Rule 5 pick's extended stay on the DL. Manager Terry Francona has not used him during the Red Sox's playoff push and probably won't, but DiNardo's return on the 16th enabled him to meet the Rule 5 requirement of spending a minimum of 90 days of his mandatory year on the 25-man roster active rather than on the disabled list. Consequently, Boston will possess unfettered rights to DiNardo following the season. I expect the Red Sox to return him to the minors to continue his development as a starter next season, though if he runs into trouble, he's proven he should at least have a future as a reliever.