Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington wasn't willing to make an informal announcement about David Ortiz on Monday morning during a radio appearance. He said that would be ironed out later in the day.
Ortiz continues to battle the nagging Achilles injury that he returned from on Friday, only to sit out Saturday and Sunday's games. He's out of the lineup once again on Monday, and speculation about another disabled list trip was fueled by reports of Ryan Kalish in the Boston clubhouse Monday morning.
Monday also marks the return of Daisuke Matsuzaka. He'll be making just his fifth start of the season, and his first since July 2. He lasted just one inning in that start against Oakland before heading to the DL with a trap injury.
Here are the lineups for Monday's finale.
Red Sox
Scott Podsednik, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Cody Ross, RF
James Loney, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Mauro Gomez, DH
Mike Aviles, SS
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Daisuke Matsuzaka, P
Royals
Jarrod Dyson, CF
Alcides Escobar, SS
Alex Gordon, LF
Billy Butler, DH
Salvador Perez, C
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, RF
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Johnny Giavotella, SS
Luke Hochevar, P
