BOSTON — Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park before the top of the fourth inning.
Cespedes’ exit was not injury related. He left the game due to a “personal matter,” according to the Red Sox.
Cespedes struck out swinging against Angels starter Matt Shoemaker in his only at-bat of the contest. He also cut down a runner at the plate in the first inning, as Josh Hamilton unsuccessfully attempted to score from second base on Howie Kendrick’s single into left field.
Cespedes, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes before the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, exited the Red Sox’s Aug. 13 game in Cincinnati after suffering a hand contusion. Apparently, that ailment wasn’t an issue here, though.
Will Middlebrooks, who initially was held out of Thursday’s lineup because of hamstring tightness, entered the game at third base following Cespedes’ departure. Brock Holt shifted from third base to right field and Daniel Nava moved from right field to left field.
UPDATE, 11:05 p.m. ET: Red Sox manager John Farrell said after the game that Yoenis Cespedes exited because of a family medical emergency. The skipper declined to provide any additional details out of respect for Cespedes’ privacy.
The Red Sox are hopeful Cespedes will return for Friday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners.
