Jackie Bradley Jr. will be in the Boston Red Sox’s starting lineup for the first time in almost a month Sunday afternoon when they go for a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bradley was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday and was used as a defensive replacement Saturday night, but Sunday’s start will be his first in the major leagues since Aug. 17. Bradley was sent down after that game with hopes of working on his swing before an eventual September recall.
There’s no denying Bradley’s defensive prowess. Prior to Sunday’s game, Red Sox manager John Farrell called Bradley the best defensive center fielder in baseball. However, Bradley needs to prove he can hit at the big league level, too. He comes in sporting a .216 batting average with 111 strikeouts in 113 games. Bradley was in the middle of a .104 (5-for-48) slump over 12 starts before being sent down.
Mookie Betts will move to right field with Bradley in center.
In other lineup news, David Ortiz will have the day off, sitting after collecting two hits in Boston’s 4-3 win Saturday night. Yoenis Cespedes will serve as the designated hitter. Mike Napoli and Brock Holt are out, presumably still dealing with illness.
Rubby De La Rosa starts on the mound for Boston, while Toronto will turn to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
Here are the lineups for both clubs.
Red Sox (63-79)
Mookie Betts, RF
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, DH
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Allen Craig, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley, CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Rubby De La Rosa, P
Blue Jays (72-69)
Jose Reyes, SS
Jose Bautista, RF
Edwin Encarnacion, DH
Adam Lind, 1B
Danny Valencia, 3B
Josh Thole, C
Kevin Pillar, LF
Ryan Goins, 2B
Anthony Gose, CF
R.A. Dickey, P
