Rangers’ Padilla Scratched, Replaced by Nippert

Vicente Padilla will not make his scheduled start against the Red Sox on Wednesday, as he is suffering from flu-like symptoms. That makes him the fourth Ranger to go down with illness this week, as the team has also been without shortstop Omar Vizquel and reliever Eddie Guardado due to flu-like symptoms. Closer Frank Francisco was placed on the disabled list on Monday with walking pneumonia.

In Padilla's stead, reliever Dustin Nippert will take the mound for Texas. The 6-foot-8 righty has a 7.36 ERA in two starts for the Rangers this season to go along with a 5.40 ERA in four appearances overall. In his career, he is 3-5 with a 6.75 ERA in 13 starts.

Nippert, 28, is coming off his first win of the season, pitching two innings of scoreless relief against the Twins on Sunday. He has struggled in his career against the Red Sox, however, going 0-1 with an 11.05 ERA in three relief appearances versus Boston.