BOSTON — Mike Napoli will get the day off Sunday.
Napoli is out of the Red Sox’s lineup for Boston’s series finale against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. Red Sox manager John Farrell said it’s a routine off day for Napoli but noted the slugger is dealing with some physical ailments, most notably a lingering finger issue stemming from a dislocation the first baseman suffered against the Chicago White Sox earlier this season.
“He’s still trying to get over some of the things he’s been banged up with,” Farrell said. “… If you notice, after every at-bat, he’s getting taped up with that finger, so it’s something that he still contends with.”
Mike Carp will play first base and bat cleanup in Napoli’s absence. A.J. Pierzynski, who was off Saturday while Jon Lester pitched a game, will be back behind the plate and slide up into the No. 5 hole in Boston’s lineup.
Shane Victorino also will return to the lineup Sunday. He’ll man his usual right field post, while Grady Sizemore will get the start in left field against right-hander Sonny Gray. Jackie Bradley Jr. will play center field.
Gray enters Sunday’s contest with a 4-1 record and 1.76 ERA. The Red Sox certainly will have their hands full, and a strong effort from John Lackey, who enters with a 4-2 record and 3.83 ERA, could be key.
Sunday’s complete lineups are below.
Boston Red Sox (15-16)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Shane Victorino, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Carp 1B
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Grady Sizemore, LF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
John Lackey, RHP (4-2, 3.83 ERA)
Oakland Athletics (18-12)
Coco Crisp, CF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Brandon Moss, 1B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
John Jaso, DH
Derek Norris, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Eric Sogard, 2B
Sonny Gray, RHP (4-1, 1.76 ERA)
