Slap tag sweeps Betts out of mix
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Already shorthanded, the Red Sox suffered another injury yesterday.
Mookie Betts appeared to hurt his right hand when he was hit by the tag running out a grounder to third base in the fourth inning of the Sox’ 3-2 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays. He went out to play defense in the bottom of the fourth but kept looking at his hand and shaking it while in the outfield.
He was removed and replaced by Rajai Davis in the fifth inning. The Red Sox announced that Betts exited the game with a bruised thumb.
“Just a little sore, but we’ll see what happens tomorrow,” Betts said. X-rays were negative.
The play in question was a routine grounder to third baseman Evan Longoria, but Longoria’s throw was a bit wide and first baseman Lucas Duda jumped off the bag to snag it, then slapped Betts with the tag, knocking his helmet off in the process. Betts was holding onto his right hand after the tag.
He had been nursing a sore thumb for months.
“But I’ve just played through it or whatever,” he said. “But today I hit it pretty hard, I think it was on my helmet, when my helmet came off it hit my thumb and I wasn’t able to hold the bat.
“We’ll see about tomorrow. I should be all right to play tomorrow. Just have to find a way not to hit it.”
Holt struggles
It’s no secret Brock Holt has been a different player since coming back from multiple concussions and overcoming a bout with vertigo.
But the Red Sox, desperate for options at second base with Eduardo Nunez out with a knee injury and Dustin Pedroia’s cranky left knee forcing him into DH duty lately, particularly on turf, are riding it out with the utility man.
Holt was in the lineup again yesterday and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored while playing second base for Pedroia, who was at the DH spot.
“And we had talked after the game last night and felt like if he’s on the field today, he’s probably not on the field tomorrow in Baltimore,” manager John Farrell said of Pedroia. “Made the choice of having him in the DH slot today knowing he’ll hopefully be on the field at second base tomorrow to open up the series in Baltimore.”
Holt hasn’t had a multi-hit game since Aug.20 and is hitting just .175. Of all MLB players with at least 100 plate appearances, Holt is one of just five to have an OPS under .500.
“There’s been some hard contact at times, and we know there’s been some swing and miss,” Farrell said. “He’s going to work a count, he’s taken his base on balls. Offensively, it’s been a tough year for him in terms of trying to gain consistency with what he’s gone through physically. But as far as his defensive work, very good, and his ability to make in-game decisions has always been optimal. He’s getting regular playing time right now.”
The only other options on the roster are Deven Marrero and Tzu-Wei Lin, both who came up from Triple-A Pawtucket after rosters expanded in September. Farrell said Marrero would be playing second if there was a lefty on the mound, but Holt has been out there most days Pedroia is used at DH.
Holt, 29, is making $1.95 million this year, his first in arbitration, though he may be a non-tender candidate next season given his injury history and performance since coming back. The Red Sox will have many other options at the utility position, with Marco Hernandez also set to return from injury, and they intend to explore a contract for Nunez, who will be a free agent after this season.
For now, Holt is a mainstay in the Sox’ lineup.
“Brock is filling his role,” Farrell said. “And that’s been a utility guy with a lot of versatility and some success.”
Hanley takes cuts
Hanley Ramirez was back in the batting cage yesterday morning, swinging through soreness in his biceps, among other areas. The Sox still aren’t sure when he’ll return to the lineup. He’s considered day to day.
“When he’s producing to what his normal range of production is, we’re a different offensive team,” Farrell said. “But as we’ve seen there’s been quite a bit of ebb and flow to that. He gets on a little bit of a run and produces, but there have been some things always seemingly interrupting that.
“Hopefully getting him back after a few days down, getting him healthy, or feeling better than he’s been, hopefully there’s a little bit of a jump start there.”
Old friends
The decisive home run allowed by Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez yesterday was hit by Jesus Sucre, who said Rodriguez is one of his best friends as the two are both from Venezuela.
“I was joking with him and when I got my first hit he was looking at me when I was inside and he was like, ‘I’m not going to throw you a fastball,’” Sucre said. “So he did, he threw me one fastball right there, I got a pretty good swing on it.” ...
The Sox were without closer Craig Kimbrel and set-up man Addison Reed since both had pitched three days in a row. Farrell said Joe Kelly would be a candidate to close, but the Sox were losing in the late innings and David Price came out of relief to throw two perfect innings in the seventh and eighth.