What originally looked like a small crack in Rob Refsnyder’s left pinky toe is actually a fracture.

The utility-man’s foot was hit by a pitch during Tuesday’s spring training game, and he’s likely to be sidelined for at least a month.

Refsnyder was slated to once again be one of the team’s part-time outfielders – he’s also played the infield sporadically during his eight-year career, though not in recent seasons – and the Red Sox were relying on him for contests against left-handed pitchers. He’s a career .244, .678 OPS hitter overall, but he’s hit .270 with a .757 OPS against lefties. In 64 games last season, he dominated southpaws to the tune of a .308 average and .828 OPS. He also walked at a 15.9% clip, compared to a 15.2% strikeout rate.

Refsnyder signed a minor-league deal with the Sox in November ’21 and was invited to Major League spring training. After beginning the ’22 season in Triple-A Worcester, he was added to the active roster on Apr. 19. Over two seasons in Boston, he’s hit .273 with a .768 OPS in 146 games, with 97 hits, 48 walks and just 93 strikeouts.

Though not an everyday player, he’s well-respected on the team, a leader in a largely young and inexperienced Sox clubhouse. He was having a strong preseason before Tuesday’s injury, too: in nine games, he was 6-for-20 (.300) with a home run, a pair of runs scored, seven batted in, three walks, and seven strikeouts.

In his absence, there’s also a clearer path for the rookie Ceddanne Rafaela to make his first Opening Day roster. However, Alex Cora also hinted that the Red Sox may seek out another right-handed bat, as Refsnyder’s injury leaves Rafaela and Tyler O’Neill as the only righty outfielders.