BOSTON — Perhaps some time on the shelf was exactly what Shane Victorino needed.
Ever since returning from a stint on the 15-day disabled list last weekend, the Red Sox right fielder has looked like a new man.
Following his 2-for-2 showing in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers, Victorino now has gone 8-for-19 with three walks and a home run in seven games since being reactivated, bumping up his batting average nearly 100 points in the process (.143 to .241).
Excluding his first game back, when he went hitless in four at-bats against the Oakland A’s, Victorino is batting .533 since returing to action.
“He was swinging the bat well on the West Coast,” manager John Farrell said after Wednesday’s loss, “and Vic has gotten some timing back with some more regular at-bats. Physically, he’s in a good place as far as his legs and his back — that’s not an issue — and he’s been much more involved of late.”
Victorino still is not back to his usual self. Haven given up switch-hitting, he’s been held out of the lineup against right-handers, as evidenced by Farrell’s choice to start the struggling Daniel Nava in right field for each of the last two games.
But regardless, these last two weeks have been encouraging for a hitter who’s been hindered by injuries and inconsistency since the beginning of last season.
Some additional notes from Wednesday night:
— Third baseman Pablo Sandoval sat out the game after taking a fastball to the left knee during Tuesday’s win. Farrell said before the game that Sandoval will be re-evaluated daily.
“He’s day to day,” Farrell said. “He’s sore. Obviously, he’s not in the lineup (Wednesday). We’re going to keep him off his feet and continue to get treatment throughout the game.
“… It’s a bruise. He took it on the outside of the left knee. It was not on the kneecap, which is a fortunate thing. Not a whole lot of swelling, but obviously a bone bruise.”
— The Red Sox made a roster move Wednesday, acquiring 26-year-old right-hander John Cornely from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations. Farrell said Cornely, who has been assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket, will be used out of the bullpen.
“(He’s a) right-hander, (and) we had the chance to add depth,” Farrell said. “We like the fastball ability. It might not be in pure velocity, but there’s some swing-and-miss throughout the course of his career. Those guys always kind of jump out to us. Other than that, it’s scouting reports. I don’t know a whole lot more about him, but obviously he’s reported to Pawtucket.”
— Newly-appointed Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney threw out the ceremonial first pitch clad in a No. 32 Red Sox jersey. His son, Tyler, joined him at the mound.
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Photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
