Eduardo Nunez aggravates knee, likely out until Astros series

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BOSTON — In the starting lineup Monday for the first time in 16 days, Eduardo Nunez had just two at-bats before his right knee injury was aggravated on a swing to the point he needed to be removed. Nunez has been out with a hurt PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injury, which affects the back of the knee. 

"We thought that we were more ready than we were," Nunez said. "I'll keep working. Keep positive and hopefully, in two more days we're going to try again.

"My foot got stuck at home plate and we didn't expect that. We didn't expect it was going to be that tough, so we're going to sit down for a few more days. We're going to keep working, do my treatment and hopefully in the series with Houston try again ."

The designated hitter in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays, Nunez doubled in his first at-bat. In the third inning, he fouled a pitch away and his leg appeared to buckle under him. 

Sox manager John Farrell and a trainer went out to speak with Nunez, who jogged briefly up the third-base line and swung the bat before he was permitted to finish the at-bat. Nunez lined out to third base and walked gingerly to the dugout, with a little limp.

That was it for Nunez, with Sam Travis batting for Nunez the next time up.

Farrell indicated before the game it was possible Nunez would still be bothered by the knee, but said "he’s not putting himself at further risk." 

Farrell after the game noted, "We don’t feel like there was added damage, he just aggravated it."

The Astros start a four-game series at Fenway Park on Thursday.

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