BOSTON — David Ortiz missed the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday with right heel bursitis, which also has him out of the lineup for the nightcap.
Manager Terry Francona said that Ortiz was dealing with the issue during the team’s six-game road trip. During pregame warm-ups Tuesday, Ortiz felt something in the heel that caused him to address the matter with the staff.
Just as the first pitch was delivered in the team's game with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox announced that Ortiz was out due to an illness. Francona revealed the true nature of the injury after the game. Ortiz was getting treatment, which usually consists of ice and rest for this sort of injury. Francona did not speculate on when his slugger might return.
If Ortiz was in pain during the road trip, it was hard to tell. He hit 11-for-22 (.500) with three home runs during the stretch.
Jed Lowrie served as the designated hitter in the first game of the twinbill, his first appearance in that role. Carl Crawford is the DH for the nightcap.
