David Ortiz will be back in his usual designated hitter slot Tuesday night as the Boston Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays for the first time this season.
Ortiz was not in the starting lineup for Monday’s Patriots’ Day loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, though he did make an appearance as a pinch hitter. He struck looking to end the game as the Blue Jays won 4-3 at Fenway Park.
The 40-year-old slugger’s return will push Hanley Ramirez, Monday’s DH, back to his standard post at first base. Travis Shaw, who started at first against Toronto, will move back to third base for the opener of Boston’s three-game series with Tampa Bay.
Chris Young will remain in left field with left-hander Drew Smyly on the mound for the Rays. Young went 1-for-3 with a double Monday after a forgettable 0-for-4, three-strikeout showing Sunday afternoon.
Opposing Smyly will be Red Sox right-hander Joe Kelly, who is looking to become the third Boston pitcher to notch multiple wins this season. Kelly earned the victory his last time out, allowing two runs on seven hits over five innings in a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He did issue five walks in that outing, however, after handing out three free passes in three innings in his first start of the season.
Here are the full starting lineups for both teams:
RED SOX (6-6)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Travis Shaw, 3B
Chris Young, LF
Christian Vazquez, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Joe Kelly, RHP (1-0, 10.13Â ERA)
RAYSÂ (5-7)
Logan Forsythe, 2B
Logan Morrison, 1B
Evan Longoria, 3B
Corey Dickerson, DH
Desmond Jennings, LF
Brad Miller, SS
Steven Souza Jr., RF
Kevin Kiermaier, CF
Curt Casali, C
Drew Smyly, LHP (0-2, 4.61Â ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports Images
