Hanley Ramirez continues to battle a hand injury.
Ramirez, who was struck on the left hand by a batted ball while running the bases Wednesday night at Fenway Park, is out of the Boston Red Sox’s starting lineup for the third consecutive game Saturday. He’ll sit to begin the club’s middle game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Alejandro De Aza and Jackie Bradley Jr. both will remain in the lineup with Ramirez sidelined. De Aza will man left field and Bradley will patrol right field. Both players have been playing well of late, so these games with Ramirez out are important showcases for the pair of left-handed-hitting outfielders.
Brock Holt will continue to play second base with Dustin Pedroia on the 15-day disabled list. He’ll bat second while shortstop Xander Bogaerts again will bat third with Ramirez out of the lineup.
Sandy Leon will catch for Red Sox starter Wade Miley. Blake Swihart has been swinging a hot bat, but he has caught back-to-back games after battling a foot injury earlier this week.
The complete lineups for Saturday’s Red Sox-Rays matchup are below.
RED SOX (33-42)
Mookie Betts, CF
Brock Holt, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Alejandro De Aza, LF
Sandy Leon, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., RF
Wade Miley, LHP (7-6, 4.50 ERA)
RAYS (41-34)
Brandon Guyer, CF
Joey Butler, DH
Evan Longoria, 3B
Logan Forsythe, 2B
Steven Souza Jr., RF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
David DeJesus, LF
Jake Elmore, 1B
Rene Rivera, C
Matt Andriese, RHP (2-2, 3.79 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
