David Ortiz scratched from Red Sox lineup
By Todd Salem
Playing the field has taken its toll on everyday designated hitter David Ortiz. Ortiz has been scratched from the Red Sox lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Braves.
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This comes after the big lefty played the field a couple of times throughout the week for interleague games.
Taking his place in tonight’s lineup will be A.J. Pierzynski.
Although Pierzynski is a competent hitter, he is no Big Papi. Ortiz’s sore calf is not thought to be serious, but any number of games without him is bad news for Boston.
The Red Sox already find themselves eight games behind the division leading Toronto Blue Jays and, with 213 runs scored, Boston has the worst offense in the division — trailing even the last-place Tampa Bay Rays.
In 50 games, Ortiz has a .877 OPS and 12 home runs. Of course, opponents realize the damage Ortiz can do with his bat and notice the lack of big hitters around him.
Ortiz already has 29 walks on the season and leads the league in intentional walks.
With injuries all over the rest of the roster, Ortiz is being passed over routinely by opposing pitchers in order to face less experienced hitters.
Veteran outfielder Shane Victorino is back on the disabled list for the second time this season. The platoon of Grady Sizemore and Jackie Bradley has not performed well either, making the hole in the outfield even greater.
Combined with the injury and shoddy play of third baseman Will Middlebrooks, this Boston lineup is not nearly as potent as it was a season ago.