The Boston Red Sox will send Rich Hill to the mound as he’ll return from the bereavement list, while they’ll be without J.D. Martinez for the fourth straight day and Trevor Story leads off yet again as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:10 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field in the series finale.
Today, Tanner Houck will piggyback Hill as he’ll be placed on the restricted list tomorrow with him not being vaccinated and being unable to travel to Toronto.
As noted in the Red Sox notebook, Martinez is making progress on his injury and said his return was in the next couple of days on Saturday. That means he’ll likely be back in the lineup for Monday’s series opener in Toronto, or at the very latest back for Tuesday’s matchup.
Rob Refsnyder takes Jackie Bradley Jr.’s spot in right field while Christian Arroyo is at shortstop, and Xander Bogaerts is at DH. Kiké Hernandez goes from fifth to second, backing up everyone that was in spots 2-4 yesterday one spot.
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Lineup for the series finale.
Boston Red Sox Lineup vs. Tampa Bay Rays
| Red Sox | |
| 1 | 2B Trevor Story |
| 2 |
CF Kiké Hernandez
|
| 3 |
3B Rafael Devers
|
| 4 |
DH Xander Bogaerts
|
| 5 |
LF Alex Verdugo
|
| 6 |
1B Bobby Dalbec
|
| 7 |
SS Christian Arroyo
|
| 8 |
C Christian Vazquez
|
| 9 |
RF Rob Refsnyder
|
| P |
LHP Rich Hill (0-1, 9.00)
|
Some additional notes via the Red Sox notebook:
- Josh Taylor is with Double-A Portland now with Triple-A Worcester on the road; has likely four to five more rehab outings left; he hasn’t made an outing in seven days due to him being marked as a close contact — his vaccination status forced him to go into protocols; he’ll pitch today most likely
- Martinez out of the lineup again Sunday for the fourth straight day: “I’m feeling good,” he said Saturday. “I’m going to try running today to see how I feel. I’m hoping I’m (ready) soon. Next couple of days probably”
- Cora is feeling better but does have mild symptoms; he’s making progress, though no idea when he’ll rejoin team; needs two negative tests and no fever to rejoin
- No timetable for Jonathan Arauz either
- Kevin Plawecki is ‘doing well,’ should meet team in Toronto at some point, said Venable
- According to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, all of Boston’s top hitters are vaccinated and will be in Toronto this week
- The Red Sox activated Rich Hill from the bereavement list, optioned Tyler Danish to Triple-A Worcester
- Danish will probably reclaim a roster spot if some pitchers currently on the roster aren’t vaccinated when the team heads to Toronto
- Houck piggybacks Hill today
- Still no starter named for Tuesday