Dustin Pedroia Sits, Pablo Sandoval Returns For Red Sox-Royals Opener

Dustin Pedroia and Pablo Sandoval missed Thursday’s series finale against the Atlanta Braves for entirely different reasons. One will return to the Boston Red Sox’s starting lineup Friday.

Sandoval, who was benched Thursday for using Instagram during Wednesday’s game, will play third base and bat sixth in the Red Sox’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Pedroia, who has missed two of the last three games with a knee issue, will remain sidelined.

Sandoval’s social media mishap has dominated headlines the last couple of days, largely because it represents another low in a disappointing season for Boston. But Pedroia’s knee injury is concerning given how important he is to the Red Sox and how much it typically takes to keep him off the field.

Brock Holt again will play second base and bat leadoff in Pedroia’s absence. Mookie Betts will follow in the two-hole, with both players swinging the bat well of late.

David Ortiz will return to his usual designated hitter’s post with Boston back in an American League ballpark. He’ll bat third. Mike Napoli, who started one of the two games down in Atlanta, will return to first base against Kansas City and bat seventh to kick off the three-game set.

The complete lineups for Friday’s Red Sox-Royals matchup are below.

RED SOX (29-39)
Brock Holt, 2B
Mookie Betts, CF
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Alejandro De Aza, RF
Blake Swihart, C

Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (2-1, 3.55 ERA)

ROYALS (38-25)
Alcides Escobar, SS
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Alex Gordon, LF
Salvador Perez, C
Alex Rios, RF
Omar Infante, 2B

Yohan Pino, RHP (0-1, 0.64)

Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images