Shane Victorino is one tough guy. Just two days after being sent to the hospital to have X-rays on his ribs after a nasty collision with Fenway’s low right field wall, he’s already back in the lineup, ready to go.
Victorino got the benefit of an off day on Monday to get his health in order, and that’s something that could help the Red Sox as a whole. After winning just two of their last 10 games to follow up on a superb April, the team was in definite need of a chance to hit the “reset” button, so hopefully the players can use the brief respite to cure what ails them.
Aside from Victorino’s presence, Ryan Lavarnway will see his first action of the season on Tuesday. With David Ross on the seven-day concussion DL, the 25-year-old will get to take his hacks at the big league level after showing an .883 OPS for Triple-A Pawtucket.
John Lackey will be on the mound for Boston, and he’ll square off against the Tampa Bay (don’t call us Devil) Rays’ Matt Moore, who’s off to a strong start with a 2.14 ERA in seven starts so far this year.
Check out the lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jonny Gomes, LF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Stephen Drew, SS
Ryan Lavarnway, C
John Lackey, RHP
Tampa Bay Rays
Desmond Jennings, CF
Matt Joyce, LF
Ben Zobrist, RF
Evan Longoria, 3B
James Loney, 1B
Adam Scott, DH
Kelly Johnson, 2B
Jose Molina, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
Matt Moore, LHP
