TORONTO — Scorching hot, David Ortiz sat because of a planned down day Thursday night for the final game of three against the Blue Jays.
TORONTO — Scorching hot, David Ortiz sat because of a planned down day Thursday night for the final game of three against the Blue Jays.
"We came into this series knowing, with the Astroturf, we would look to two of the three games here for him," Sox manager John Farrell said. "Today is a planned down day for him. It gives Mike Napoli a chance to DH and get off his feet on this turf and, as we've talked about with Mike (Carp), getting him at first base as well."
Ortiz has hit safely in all 10 of his games this season, and is 19-for-39 (.487) with three home runs since his season began.
- Shane Victorino (lower back) was available for Thursday night's game but did not start. "He took full BP today," Farrell said. "He comes out of it feeling well. He tries to talk his way into the lineup today, but we're holding him out. He's available tonight, so if a game situation calls for it, he is available. Everything points towards him being back in the lineup tomorrow."
- Craig Breslow (left shoulder tendinitis) is scheduled to pitch Thursday night for Triple-A Pawtucket and then again on the weekend. Farrell said the team would re-evaluate at that point — which could well mean a return from the disabled list.
- The Red Sox still plan to stretch out Franklin Morales (left pectoral) as a starter. He's to throw off a mound in Texas. If the Red Sox need a 40-man roster spot at some point, Morales would seem an easy candidate for the 60-day disabled list.
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