Posted at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 21, 2007
Baseball: Boston's Ortiz sidelined with shoulder injury
Associated Press
BOSTON — David Ortiz was out of Boston's starting lineup today because of a left shoulder strain that is not considered serious.An MRI taken today showed that the designated hitter, injured while diving into second base last night, suffered no structural damage. He was thrown out trying to stretch a single in Boston's 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Ortiz had played in 90 of the Red Sox previous 96 games before beginning today's game against Chicago on the bench. He was listed as day-to-day.
Manny Ramirez served as designated hitter and Wily Mo Pena took Ramirez's place in left field.
Manager Terry Francona said Ortiz's condition was what the club expected last night.
"We thought he'd show up today and he'd be stiff and sore," Francona said. "He was tested for strength and everything turned out pretty good."
Francona, who had been ejected in the first inning, joked that he felt the impact when the 230-pound Ortiz hit the ground.
"I was on the couch in my office," Francona said. "I almost fell off the couch."
This season, Ortiz is hitting .321 with 16 homers and 60 RBIs.
