Sandoval (knee) out Wednesday vs. Rangers

Share

BOSTON - The Red Sox look to get back to .500 Wednesday night when they host the Rangers in the second game of a three-game set.

If they do it, it'll be without Pablo Sandoval.

Sandoval was removed from Tuesday's game after being hit in the left knee with a pitch during the seventh inning.

While Sandoval avoided any serious damage to the knee, he's still in some pain. Brock Holt gets the start at third base in his place.

"He's day-to-day. He's sore. Obviously he's not in the lineup today," John Farrell said before Wednesday's game. "Probably keep him off his feet and continue to get treatment throughout the game but like I said day-to-day at this point."

Sandoval was in the clubhouse during media availability and did not have ice or anything else on the knee. Farrell said it's nothing more than a bruise.

"He took it on the outside of the left knee," Farrell said. "It was not on the knee cap which is the fortunate thing. Not a whole lot of swelling, but obviously a bone bruise."

Sandoval is batting .270 on the season with five home runs and 16 RBI. He's been hit by a pitch five times already this season, one shy of his career-high.

Hanley Ramirez was also removed from Tuesday's game after hurting his leg sliding into second base. It was more precautionary than anything else, and Ramirez is back in the lineup today. But he has been playing at less than 100-percent after injuring his shoulder crashing into the left field wall in foul territory on May 4 against the Rays.

After sitting out a few games, Ramirez returned to action in Toronto and has been playing since. The power has dropped since the injury, but he's still getting on base and making the Sox lineup more dangerous.

"I think it says a couple things," Farrell said. "His presence in a lineup - even if it's on a given day less than 100-percent - his presence there makes guys around him better I believe. He's a guy that when he came back in the Toronto series, he might have come back I don't want to say too soon, but he was chomping at the bit to get back on the field. I don't know that any player plays at a full 100-percent health or capacity, but I think it just speaks to the teammate that he's been for what we know of him here. Loves to compete.

Here's the rest of the Red Sox lineup, with Phil Klein making his MLB starting debut for the Rangers.

Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Brock Holt, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Blake Swihart, C

Joe Kelly, RHP

Contact Us