David Ortiz’s Back Spasms Force Him to Be Removed From Red Sox Lineup Prior to First At-Bat Tuesday

BOSTON — David Ortiz left Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with back spasms.

Ortiz was in the lineup and batting cleanup, but he never emerged from the dugout when it came time to hit in the bottom of the first inning. Jed Lowrie was sent up as a pinch hitter and promptly struck out.

Ortiz was 2-for-16 (.125) with four strikeouts in the final four games of Boston's recently completed road trip.