Rusney Castillo is in. David Ortiz is out.
Castillo, who sat out Wednesday’s series finale against the Minnesota Twins with a sore right shoulder, will return to the Boston Red Sox’s starting lineup Thursday against the Texas Rangers. The Red Sox, however, will be without Ortiz, as the slugger is expected to be out of Boston’s lineup for “a couple of days” while working on his swing, according to manager John Farrell.
Hanley Ramirez will serve as Boston’s designated hitter Thursday in Ortiz’s absence. Ramirez has only one RBI in May while batting .210. The veteran slugged 10 homers and knocked in 22 runs in April.
Brock Holt will play left field with Ramirez assuming the DH duties. He’ll be joined in the outfield by Castillo (right field) and Mookie Betts (center field).
Dustin Pedroia, who clubbed two homers in Wednesday’s loss, will bat leadoff again with Betts hitting second and Sandoval hitting third.
The complete lineups for Thursday’s Red Sox-Rangers matchup are below.
RED SOX (21-26)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mookie Betts, CF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Brock Holt, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Blake Swihart, C
Rusney Castillo, RF
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (0-0, — )
RANGERS (23-24)
Delino DeShields, CF
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Prince Fielder, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Josh Hamilton, LF
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Adam Rosales, 2B
Robinson Chirinos, C
Nick Martinez, RHP (4-0, 1.96 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
