Grady Sizemore is back in the Boston Red Sox’s lineup. Just not where he’s accustomed to playing.
The 31-year-old outfielder will enter uncharted territory by making his first career start in left field Thursday night as the Red Sox take on the Yankees in the opener of a four-game series in New York.
Sizemore relinquishes his usual center field spot to Jackie Bradley Jr., who has posted eight hits and five RBI in his first 20 at-bats this season. Bradley Jr. will bat eighth, and Daniel Nava will get the call in right field and bat fifth.
Also making his return to the Red Sox’s lineup is infielder Jonathan Herrera, who will bat ninth and replace Ryan Roberts at third base.
Making his seventh start of the season behind the plate for the Red Sox will be A.J. Pierzynski, who bats seventh. Pierzyski will catch pitches from Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz, who hopes to bounce back from a tough 2014 debut in which he surrendered six runs and 13 hits in a 7-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Buchholz will square off against Yankees starter Michael Pineda in a game that starts at 7:05 p.m.
Check out both starting lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (4-5)
Grady Sizemore, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Jackie Bradley, Jr. CF
Jonathan Herrera, 3B
Clay Buchholz, RHP
New York Yankees (4-5)
Brett Gardner, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Carlos Beltran, RF
Brian McCann, C
Alfonso Soriano, DH
Kelly Johnson, 1B
Yangervis Solarte, 3B
Dean Anna, 2B
Michael Pineda, RHP
