David Ortiz’s absence from the Boston Red Sox’s starting lineup sure has people talking.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Thursday’s game against the Texas Rangers that Ortiz likely will sit for a couple of games while working on his swing in the cage and garnering a bit of a breather. Ortiz told reporters he’s battling the flu, though it doesn’t appear that’s a factor in his absence.
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Farrell told reporters there’s nothing physically wrong with Ortiz. The break is designed to give the 39-year-old a mental respite amid his early-season slump, which obviously represents a unique approach, especially when dealing with a player of Ortiz’s stature.
“Get some extra work done in the cage, try to get him going again before we get him back in the lineup,” Farrell said. “I think he’s feeling under the weather as well.
“As you do with every player, you talk and try to keep up to date with each guy individually, and this is a chance to hopefully have him get over that, as well as address some of the things and give him a little bit of a breather.”
Ortiz is hitting .216 with six homers, 18 RBIs and a .679 OPS this season. The Red Sox clearly need him to perform better, so perhaps a few off-days will do the trick for the nine-time All-Star.
Thumbnail photo via Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports Images
