BOSTON — Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino was a late scratch Wednesday with what manager John Farrell called “soreness more centralized around the left calf.”
“It’s not anything related to the low back or hamstring (injuries) that he’s dealt with in the past,” Farrell said as his team prepared to host the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. “Precautionary, he’s held out (Thursday).”
Victorino, who has gone 8-for-19 with three walks in seven games since returning from the 15-day disabled list, initially was penciled into the lineup for Boston’s series finale before being removed. He was replaced by Daniel Nava, who has struggled at the plate this season but went 1-for-2 with a double in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss.
“Through his normal pregame maintenance, (Victorino)Â wasn’t able to get it right,” Farrell said. “And we made the decision to hold him out.”
Farrell said he is hopeful Victorino will be available to play when the Red Sox begin a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.
Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval also sat out his second consecutive game Thursday after taking a fastball off the left knee in Tuesday’s series-opening win over the Rangers. There’s a chance he might have been held out regardless with left-hander Wandy Rodriguez starting for Texas, as Sandoval has gone just 2-for-41 (.049) against lefties this season — a far cry from his .365 mark against right-handers.
“Pablo is much-improved (Thursday),” Farrell said. “There’s still some soreness there. We’re giving him another day, particularly with a left-handed starter on the mound. We anticipate him back in the lineup (Friday).”
One final injury note: Farrell said right-hander Joe Kelly was feeling no ill effects of the sharp ground ball that struck his bare hand during Wednesday night’s start.
“Even (Wednesday)Â night after the initial sting wore off, (he was OK),” the manager said. “There are no lingering effects (Thursday) at all.”
Thumbnail photo via Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports Images
