Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox announced on Thursday that David Ortiz will return to the Red Sox lineup for their matchup against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.
Ortiz opened the season on the disabled list while dealing with heel issues. After his DL stint, the Red Sox sent him to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox for a rehab stint. In six games with the PawSox, the designated hitter went 4-for-18 (.222) with a home run, four RBIs and scored three runs.
The 37-year-old is ready to rejoin the Red Sox and his team is excited to have him back. Although the Red Sox have held their own through the first few weeks of the season and have been hitting for power, the team won’t deny they would like to have their DH back with the big league club.
The activation of Ortiz means another move will need to be made and all signs point to Jackie Bradley Jr. being optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox prospect has had a rough start to his debut season, going 3-for-31 (.097) with a double and three RBIs during his first 12 major league games.
It won’t be long before the youngster rejoins the Red Sox, but it will be good for Bradley to be playing everyday with the PawSox in the meantime. While in the minors, the outfielder can get his batting average up and work on getting back to playing great baseball.
Ortiz and the Red Sox start a three-game series against the Royals on Friday night at 7:10 pm at Fenway Park. Clay Buchholz faces James Shields in game one.
Justin Soderberg is a Boston Red Sox writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, ”Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
