But Ortiz, who hurt his Achilles tendon on the same leg where he's had heel problems in the past, hasn't been relegated to the disabled list — yet.
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Tuesday that while Ortiz did not tear or rupture the tendon, it was sore enough that the medical staff wants to take another day before making any long-term decisions. Ortiz will get a second opinion on Wednesday, with the team not sure if it will make the call on the 15-day DL even then.
"A 24-hour wait at least is something that gives you a different opinion sometimes," said Valentine, who said the Sox waited until Tuesday for their first assessment of Ortiz's injury for just the same reason.
Ortiz said he was likely out for a week, according to NESN's Jenny Dell. And he told Michael Vega of the Boston Globe that the pain was worse Tuesday than when he first injured the tendon Monday.
Ortiz was wearing a boot in the clubhouse on Monday, and his spot in the lineup had been filled by Daniel Nava, who is among the Red Sox' growing staff of outfielders now that Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford have come back.
When asked about "replacing" Ortiz at designated hitter with a player who would take the role until Ortiz returned, Valentine said, "You don't do that." He said the Sox would use a variety of options, including resting position players by giving them time in the spot.
Valentine was also optimistic that the team wouldn't be hurt too much by going short a player if Ortiz were to stay on the roster but couldn't play. That's already happened a few times this season, most recently with Will Middlebrooks, who missed six games with a hamstring injury.
"I think we've weathered the storm," Valentine said. "I don't think [playing with a short bench] affects the players at all."
They've certainly had enough practice with it.
