Bradley on 10-day disabled list with knee sprain

DETROIT — Turns out, the flu isn’t the only ailment that can keep a key Red Sox player out of the lineup.

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was placed on the 10-day disabled list yesterday with a sprained ligament in his right knee. The team does not expect it to be a long absence, but it’s another blow to a ballclub that has not been close to full strength since Opening Day.

“He’s going to need some time,” manager John Farrell said. “Hopefully it’s just the 10 days. We’ll see.”

The Red Sox had been hoping Bradley could avoid the DL ever since he stumbled while running the bases Saturday. Initial tests were encouraging, but a Sunday MRI revealed a minor sprain, and team physician Peter Asnis ultimately determined the injury was significant enough to make the roster move.

Bradley has insisted all along the injury isn’t serious, and the Red Sox believe he’ll be back soon.

“Everything points in that direction right now,” Farrell said. “Again, I don’t have the all information to give you a time frame. I know Jackie, as tough a kid as he is, he’ll want to play soon.”

While Bradley is out, it seems Andrew Benintendi will move from left field to become the regular center fielder. He played the position yesterday and a made a running catch on the most challenging ball hit his way.

“We’ve had some preliminary discussions on that,” Farrell said. “We probably have more candidates to play left field than center field, so (we’re) just trying to put the best defensive alignment on the field. That’s where we are today.”

Benintendi’s made just four Major League starts in center field, but that was his primary position in the minors, and evaluators like his defense in that spot.

Ideally, this will be only a short-term fix, and Bradley will be back in the outfield late next week.

“We’re hopeful because his training room exams have been good,” Farrell said. “There’s stability in the knee. He’s moving around good.”