Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz left Wednesday night’s game against the New York Yankees after fouling a pitch off his foot in the ninth inning. However, the injury did not keep him out of the lineup, and he is ready to return.
Continue for updates.
Ortiz Active vs. Yankees
Thursday, Aug. 10
Guerin Austin of NESN reported Ortiz is serving as the designated hitter and batting third against New York.
Dombrowski Comments on Ortiz’s Playing Status
Wednesday, Aug. 10
When asked if Ortiz would be available for Thursday’s clash with the New York Yankees, general manager Dave Dombrowski told reporters “I wouldn’t think so, but I don’t think it’s far beyond that.”
Latest on Ortiz’s Injury
Wednesday, Aug. 10
After leaving the game, Ortiz went for X-rays on his foot “with particular focus on [the] midpoint of [his] right shin,” per ESPN.com’s Scott Lauber.
Fortunately, Ian Browne of MLB.com reported results of the X-rays were negative.
Ortiz Crucial Piece for Red Sox in Final Season
Getting Ortiz back avoids what would have been a difficult blow for the Red Sox. For one, he is still one of their best offensive threats who anchors the lineup on a daily basis. He is also a fan favorite and announced he would retire at the end of the season. A lengthy injury would have cost baseball fans the chance to see some of Ortiz’s few remaining games.
Ortiz missed brief action with a sore foot earlier in the season, but he was batting .309 with 25 home runs and 88 RBI in 2016 entering Wednesday night.
The 40-year-old is one of the best sluggers of the last two decades. The 10-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger also helped the Red Sox end their World Series drought as the 2004 ALCS MVP, and he added a 2013 World Series MVP as well.
Ortiz, a member of the 500-home run club, drilled 41 long balls in 2004, 47 in 2005 and 54 in 2006. Despite his age, he still hit 37 home runs with 108 RBI last season.
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