Red Sox catcher David Ross and third baseman Will Middlebrooks both left Tuesday night’s game after colliding near the wall in foul territory. Ross was said to have a left quad contusion while Middlebrooks suffered what the team is calling “right side pain.”
With Minnesota’s Chris Parmelee at the plate and a runner on third, both Ross and Middlebrooks attempted to chase down a foul ball in the area between the visitor’s dugout and the backstop. As they slid, Ross’ left knee made contact with Middlebrooks’ torso, sending the third baseman back-first into the wall.
Middlebrooks hauled in the catch for the inning’s first out, but appeared a bit shaken up on the play, while Ross was left favoring that left leg. He stayed behind the plate for one more batter before being replaced by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Saltalamacchia has been the team’s No. 1 catcher this season, and the Red Sox also have Ryan Lavarnway down at Triple-A Pawtucket should Ross’ injury cause him to miss significant time.
Middlebrooks made his next at-bat in the sixth inning but was replaced by Pedro Ciriaco at third base in the top of the seventh.
