Grady Sizemore will make his Boston Red Sox debut Thursday

In the offseason, the Boston Red Sox lost starting center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to the New York Yankees in free agency.

Although they have super prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr. and outfielder Shane Victorino in the fold, the Red Sox wanted another option.

Bradley was not ready to play at the major league level last season and the Red Sox would like to keep Victorino in right field, where he played last season.

That led them to sign veteran Grady Sizemore.

Early in his career, Sizemore looked like he could be on his way to superstardom.

However, injuries have derailed his career and he’s played in just 104 games over the last two season.

Despite those injuries, the 31-year old Sizemore is expected to play against the Northeastern Huskies when the Red Sox open their spring training season Thursday.

“The first week or two have been good,’’ Sizemore told Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston. “I’ve been able to string days together and slowly increase the volume and intensity, which is kind of what we were hoping for. Obviously, I want to come in and not feel the effects of the day before, but I also want to be able to string days together, slowly increase [the workload] and not have any reaction. So far, we haven’t had any of that, so it’s good.’’

Sizemore hit .224, posted an on-base percentage of .285, slugged .422 and hit 1o home runs in 71 games for the Cleveland Indians last season.