BOSTON — It was a rough day for the left side of the Red Sox’s infield.
But it could’ve been worse.
Xander Bogaerts underwent an MRI before Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park after arriving to the ballpark with right knee soreness. Pablo Sandoval left Tuesday’s contest before the sixth inning after being struck on the left foot with a pitch in the third inning.
Fortunately for the Red Sox, both players checked out OK, and it’s possible one or both could be in Boston’s starting lineup for Wednesday afternoon’s series finale against Washington.
Bogaerts’ MRI was clean, Red Sox manager John Farrell said after Tuesday’s game. The shortstop is listed as day-to-day, which is especially encouraging at a time when he was arguably Boston’s hottest hitter.
Sandoval, whose injury was described as a left foot contusion, began to feel more tightness and soreness as the night went on, according to Farrell. The Sox thus removed him from the game, but Farrell said after that Sandoval’s scan revealed no structural issues. He will be reexamined Wednesday morning.
The Red Sox squeaked out a hard-fought, 8-7 win over the Nationals on Tuesday, but it had the makings of a bittersweet victory given the injury developments surrounding the club. Everyone can rest a bit easier now, however, as it looks like the Red Sox have dodged a bullet — or two bullets, in this case — for the first time this season.
Farrell did not have any new information after Tuesday’s game regarding pitcher Brandon Workman, who sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews after being placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a right elbow strain.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
