Ramirez left at a loss this year
In reversal of form, southpaws give DH fits
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
A sore left knee might explain Hanley Ramirez’ three-day absence from the Red Sox lineup, and a pair of weary shoulders might explain his disappointing past three months at the plate.
But is there any physical explanation for his bizarre inability to hit left-handed pitching this season?
Feasting on lefties typically has been Ramirez’ bread and butter at the plate. This season, they’ve been his kryptonite.
Ramirez has hit just .143 with one home run in 35 at-bats against lefties this season. His OPS is more than .200 points higher against righthanders, a significant break from his career numbers, which show him to be a .300 hitter with a .905 OPS against lefties.
“Is it really?” Ramirez said, sounding legitimately shocked to hear his season splits. “So, it’s not me. I’ve got to get going because I crush lefties. It can’t happen.”
Could physical ailments explain the downturn in what should be his most productive at-bats?
“That’s a great question,” manager John Farrell said. “Because if there’s the need or the tendency for Hanley to start his swing early because he might not feel as loose or reactive as he might otherwise, if a left-hander’s going to sink the ball away from him or keep the ball on the outside of the plate and that early commitment might cause you to pull off some pitches, that’s one possibility. But I can’t say that’s the absolute sole reason.”
Ramirez was out of the lineup for last night’s 4-1 loss to the Twins, missing his third game in a row after being hit by a pitch on Sunday. He went through drills, including some fielding work at first base, and Farrell said he’s hopeful Ramirez will be back in the lineup tonight.
“He’s feeling improved, consistent with other guys that have missed multiple games,” the manager said. “We want to get him through a full work day before we get him back in the lineup, and that’s where we are with Hanley.”
Tonight’s game will be against right-hander Kyle Gibson, and Ramirez has hit .259 with a .439 slugging percentage against righties. His OPS against right-handers is .059 points lower than his career numbers. That’s a downturn, but not an overwhelming one.
Ramirez’ .562 OPS against lefties, on the other hand, is .343 points lower than his career norm.
“I didn’t know that, for real,” Ramirez said. “So, OK, after this conversation, let’s see what’s going to happen now. I’ll say it. Yeah. Bring it. OK? I didn’t know, I swear. Interesting. Thank you.”
Porcello not cut out
Sox starter Rick Porcello suffered a mild cut on his thumb but stayed in the game and said it was nothing to worry about going forward.
“I threw a pitch and my index finger, my nail on my index finger, kind of sliced my thumb a little bit,” he said. “It was bleeding . . . we covered it up and got something to seal it up and it was fine.”
Porcello continued his streak of six-inning starts. He’s pitched at least that deep in each of his past 14 outings, the longest active streak in the American League and the second-longest in baseball behind Pittsburgh’s Ivan Nova.
First for Moreland
With lefty Adalberto Mejia starting for the Twins, the Red Sox kept lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland at first base and put right-handed rookie Sam Travis at designated hitter. It was the first DH appearance for Travis, who played first base in his previous big league games.
Moreland singled to continue his strong on-base ability against lefties this season, but that wasn’t the primary reason to have him in the game.
“Against a lineup that’s going to have roughly seven left-handers, you’re looking to use your best defenders in areas you might think there might be some balls hit,” Farrell said.
Encouraging news for Holt
Brock Holt’s return from vertigo symptoms has been long and frustrating, filled with multiple setbacks. But the Red Sox are showing signs of optimism in recent weeks as Holt has gone through drills without being shut down yet again.
“Brock had a better day yesterday,” Farrell said. “Feeling, with the added active and increased BP, he had a good day. So, we’re hopeful that, and I know this is kind of the daily watch with Brock, but hopeful that his rehab is nearing.” . . .
The other Red Sox utility man dealing with concussion-like problems is Josh Rutledge, who has not been cleared for baseball activities.
“I think any time that we deal with the concussions in particular, we would want to get him back in game situation (before activation),” Farrell said.