Hamilton is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed hitting Hamilton has been an everyday guy lately for the Red Sox, but he'll begin this one on the bench as the Reds send southpaw Andrew Abbott to the bump. Hamilton has also dealt with a side issue this week, so the team could be exercising caution here. Romy Gonzalez will handle shortstop Friday.

Hamilton started at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and an RBI in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton returned to the starting lineup after dealing with discomfort in his side. He started the scoring with a run-producing single in the third inning and later stole his 20th base of the season. Hamilton has been prominent in the team's recent transition to the "Running Red Sox," as the team has attempted 17 steals (twice caught) over the last four games.

Hamilton (side) will start at shortstop and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton is back in the lineup after he was withheld from the starting nine Tuesday due to the left side injury he suffered in Monday's 7-3 win in the series opener. Despite opening Tuesday's 4-3 victory on the bench, Hamilton still made an impact with his legs, entering the game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and contributing a stolen base and a run. With Hamilton checking out fine following his brief cameo Wednesday, he'll get the green light to start the series finale and will occupy a prominent spot in the batting order.

Hamilton (side) entered Tuesday's game as a pinch runner, stole a base and scored a run in a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton was held out of the starting lineup after exiting Monday's game with discomfort in his side. He eventually entered as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and scored the game-winning run after stealing his 19th bag of the season (fifth in MLB). Ten of those 19 steals have come in the last 11 games. Boston manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com there's a good chance Hamilton will return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale.

Hamilton (side) is absent from the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton was lifted from Monday's game against the Blue Jays with left side discomfort and will be held out of Tuesday's starting nine. The severity of the injury is unclear, but a team day off Thursday should aid Hamilton's recovery, if necessary. Ceddanne Rafaela will play shortstop and bat ninth in Hamilton's place Tuesday.

Hamilton (side) exited Monday's contest against Toronto due to left side discomfort in the fourth inning, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton was removed from the game in bottom of the fourth inning after striking out for a second time in the top of the frame. The shortstop may have tweaked something in his side in his final at-bat of the day and a more exact diagnosis will likely be provided by the Red Sox after Monday's game concludes.

Hamilton (undisclosed) was removed from Monday's contest with the Blue Jays in the bottom of the fourth inning, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton struck out swinging in the top of the fourth inning, exiting the game prior to taking the field in the bottom of the frame. The 26-year-old will finish his day 0-for-2 with two punchouts and an update on his status will likely be provided before the conclusion of Monday's contest. In the meantime, Romy Gonzalez shifted over to shortstop while Enmanuel Valdez entered the lineup at second base.

Hamilton went 2-for-4 with one walk, one RBI, four stolen bases and three runs scored in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton led the charge as the Red Sox set a franchise record with nine steals in the contest. The speedy infielder has had great success on the basepaths lately, picking up nine steals over his last nine games. He's up to a .288/.340/.446 slash line with 18 thefts, four home runs, 12 RBI, 25 runs scored, eight doubles and a triple over 150 plate appearances this season.

Hamilton is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup with the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton will get a breather as Boston squares off against southpaw Carlos Rodon. The 26-year-old Hamilton saw his five-game hit streak come to an end Friday, but he's still batting .308 with two home runs, five RBI, six runs scored and five stolen bases over his last nine games. Ceddanne Rafaela will draw the start at shortstop and bat ninth against New York.

Hamilton batted second and went 1-for-5 with a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 9-3 win over Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton's good stretch of hitting led to him batting second for the second consecutive game against a right-hander, and the shortstop extended his hit streak to five games. Since mid-May, when manager Alex Cora started giving him regular run in the starting lineup, Hamilton has slashed .341/.378/.553 with 11 extra-base hits, nine RBI, 14 runs and 10 steals over 26 contests.