Victor Martinez is not in the Red Sox' lineup Tuesday night as they take on the Rays in Florida, but the injury he suffered when Jason Bartlett fouled a ball off the catcher's foot is not expected to be serious.
The diagnosis on Martinez's left foot was a bruised toe, according to the Red Sox, and manager Terry Francona was hopeful Monday night that the recovery process would be quick.
"[Jason Varitek] catches [Tuesday], obviously, but I think in a pinch, Victor will be available," Francona told NESN.com on Monday night. "I think we dodged a bullet there."
A story on redsox.com also said that Mike Lowell volunteered to be the emergency catcher if Varitek needed to leave the game for any reason.
Elsewhere, the Red Sox' Opening Day outfield won't be reunited on Tuesday, as was originally planned. Jacoby Ellsbury has the day off. He owns a career .167 average against Rays starter James Shields, so the decision could be as much strategic as it is health-related.
Shields will have to deal with Dustin Pedroia, who is batting .462 against the righty in 26 career at-bats, with two doubles, two homers and eight singles. David Ortiz (.385 with two homers) and J.D. Drew (.370 with two homers) also have hit Shields well in the past, while Kevin Youkilis (.117, nine strikeouts), Adrian Beltre (.167, 11 strikeouts in 18 at-bats) and Jason Varitek (.190, seven strikeouts) have struggled.
The lineups for both the Rays and Red Sox are below:
Red Sox
1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. J.D. Drew, RF
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Adrian Beltre, 3B
7. Jeremy Hermida, LF
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Mike Cameron, CF
Rays
1. Jason Bartlett, SS
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Ben Zobrist, 2B
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Willy Aybar, DH
6. Carlos Pena, 1B
7. B.J. Upton, CF
8. Dioner Navarro, C
9. Gabe Kapler, RF
