David Ortiz was given a well-deserved afternoon off one day after joining the 500-home run club.
Ortiz was not in the lineup Sunday as the Boston Red Sox closed out a series with the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Allen Craig got the nod in Ortiz’s usual designated hitter spot, and first baseman Travis Shaw was penciled into the cleanup slot in the batting order.
Deven Marrero also will make a rare start for the Red Sox, filling in for Pablo Sandoval at third base, and Sandy Leon got the nod behind the plate for the first time since Sept. 2 and just the second time since July 10.
Speaking of rare starts, 35-year-old left-hander Rich Hill will take the mound for Boston — his first appearance in a Red Sox uniform since 2012 and his first start since 2009.
Here are the starting lineups for both teams:
RED SOX (67-74)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Travis Shaw, 1B
Rusney Castillo, LF
Allen Craig, DH
Deven Marrero, 3B
Sandy Leon, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., RF
Rich Hill, LHPÂ (5-4, 2.83 ERA at Triple-A)
RAYS (69-72)
Brandon Guyer, LF
Mikie Mahtook, DH
Evan Longoria, 3B
Logan Forsythe, 2B
Steven Souza Jr., RF
Tim Beckham, SS
Richie Shaffer, 1B
Kevin Kiermaier, CF
J.P. Arencibia, C
Drew Smyly, LHP (2-2, 3.59 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images
