Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino is beginning the 2014 season on the 15-day disabled list.
Victorino was placed on the DL on Monday (retroactive to March 30), and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take his place on the 25-man roster. An MRI administered Sunday revealed Victorino suffered a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring, and Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Monday’s Opening Day showdown against the Baltimore Orioles that he’s unsure when the 33-year-old outfielder will be ready to return.
“It’s going to require some time down,” Farrell said. “We’ll have a better read on his potential availability, I would say, seven to 10 days into the 15-day DL stint and see how he responds to treatment at that point. But the overall projected date of return is when he’s ready to go. Whether that’s 15 days or beyond, that remains to be seen.”
Victorino suffered the injury while running the bases in Saturday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox already were bringing Victorino along slowly during spring training because of a few different physical issues.
“Every piece of information that we have doesn’t suggest there’s something structurally wrong,” Farrell said Monday. “He’s been banged up at times. He’s been plagued by pulled muscles, and we’re dealing with it again.”
Mike Carp was inserted into Monday’s lineup with Victorino sidelined, but Farrell noted the Red Sox will use a rotation involving all five outfielders — Carp, Bradley, Daniel Nava, Jonny Gomes and Grady Sizemore — currently on the big league roster.
