Shane Victorino Leaves Game w/ Re-Injured Hamstring

As if news of a season-ending injury to Andrew Bailey wasn’t enough, the Red Sox lineup may be taking a hit after Shane Victorino left Friday night’s game early with an apparent hamstring injury.

Victorino left the game after grounding into a double play in the third inning, and it appeared that he was favoring his left hamstring. This is especially notable due to Victorino’s recent injury history, as the outfielder spent a couple of weeks on the disabled list earlier in the season with a diagnosed hamstring strain in the same leg. While it hasn’t been confirmed as anything serious, it is a giant red flag to see him exit the game with what looks to be a recurrence of a previous injury.

Victorino has had a very successful, albeit injury-slowed, season for the Red Sox in year one of a 3-year, $39 million contract. He has shown off his trademark speed with 11 steals in only 269 plate appearances, but more impressively, he has responded with a .290/.337/.404 slash line that is an increase over each number from 2012.

It is clear that, at age 32, the best years of Victorino are behind him. However, the Red Sox could use his consistency and flexibility in the lineup, and any long-term injury would be a big knock to that lineup. Stay tuned for more updates as they are made available.