Ryan Lavarnway Starting at Designated Hitter As Josh Beckett, Red Sox Take on Royals

The Red Sox aren't wasting any time easing Ryan Lavarnway into the lineup as manager Terry Francona is tossing Thursday's call-up into the game as the team's starting DH against the Royals.

Lavarnway, a catcher, will be hitting seventh in front of the team's longtime catcher and captain, Jason Varitek.

David Ortiz is sitting out the series opener with a right heel injury and is expected to miss roughly a week.

Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Jed Lowrie, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1b
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Josh Reddick, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Ryan Lavarnway, DH
Jason Varitek, C
Mike Aviles, SS
 
Royals
Alex Gordon, LF
Melky Cabrera, CF
Billy Butler, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Johnny Giavotella, 2B
Salvador Perez, C
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Alcides Escobar, SS