Mookie Betts remains in the outfield.
Betts, who is expected to play second base down the stretch with Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt sidelined, will play right field for the second consecutive game Friday as the Boston Red Sox continue their four-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
One glimpse of Friday’s lineup shows just how banged up the Red Sox are with 15 games remaining. David Ortiz (foot) and Mike Napoli (finger, toe) are out of the lineup. Pedroia, who underwent wrist/thumb surgery Thursday, and Holt, who was diagnosed with a concussion, obviously remain shelved, too.
Xander Bogaerts will remain in the No. 2 spot as Red Sox manager John Farrell continues to piece together a starting nine. Daniel Nava will serve as the designated hitter and bat third in Ortiz’s absence, while Allen Craig will get the nod at first base in place of Napoli. Jemile Weeks will start at second base.
Boston’s outfield will consist of Betts, Yoenis Cespedes (left) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (center).
Friday’s complete lineups are below.
Boston Red Sox (64-83)
Mookie Betts, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Daniel Nava, DH
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Allen Craig, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Jemile Weeks, 2B
Allen Webster, RHP (3-3, 6.47 ERA)
Kansas City Royals (80-65)
Nori Aoki, RF
Omar Infante, 2B
Alex Gordon, LF
Billy Butler, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Salvador Perez, C
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Alcides Escobar, SS
Yordano Ventura, RHP (12-9, 3.25 ERA)
