BOSTON — Red Sox manager John Farrell gave Jackie Bradley Jr. a breather Saturday. The struggling outfielder will return to the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox’s hope is that Saturday’s off day will help Bradley regroup after hitting just .128 (6-for-47) with a .226 on-base percentage and one RBI through his first 14 games this month. Perhaps Bradley’s new hairdo could also send the 24-year-old down a more productive path.
Bradley will play center field and bat ninth against Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez, who was activated from the disabled list Sunday. Sanchez hasn’t pitched since April 27 because of a right middle finger laceration, but the right-hander certainly can be a force — something the Red Sox learned last season during the ALCS.
Grady Sizemore will play left field and bat fifth with Sanchez on the mound. Sizemore played center field Saturday in Bradley’s absence. Shane Victorino will round out the Red Sox’s outfield in right field.
Jake Peavy will oppose Sanchez as the Red Sox look to avoid their first four-game losing streak since 2012. Peavy enters on the heels of his shortest start of the season Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins. He gave up six earned runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings in that contest.
Sunday’s complete lineups are below.
Boston Red Sox (20-22)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Shane Victorino, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Grady Sizemore, LF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Brock Holt, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Jake Peavy, RHP (1-1, 3.94 ERA)
Detroit Tigers (26-12)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Don Kelly, 3B
Austin Jackson, CF
J.D. Martinez, LF
Alex Avila, C
Andrew Romine, SS
Anibal Sanchez, RHP (0-2, 3.13 ERA)
