Xander Bogaerts was scratched from the Red Sox’ starting lineup against the Blue Jays on Friday night due to a sore left knee.
Bogaerts was originally slated to start at shortstop and bat cleanup at Fenway Park for the first of four against Toronto on Friday, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora changed things up about an hour and a half before first pitch.
When speaking with NESN’s Tom Caron pregame, Cora explained that Bogaerts’ left knee was a feeling “a little bit sore” after diving for an Alex Bregman base hit in the third inning of Thursday night’s 12-8 win over the Astros.
The 28-year-old was able to remain in for the rest of the contest and even went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored in Boston’s rollercoaster come-from-behind victory.
The hope now, per Cora, is that Bogaerts will only be out of action for two days before being cleared to return to the Sox lineup on Sunday.
On the 2021 campaign as a whole, the star shortstop comes into play Friday slashing an astute .324/.382/.547 to go along with 11 home runs and 38 RBI over 60 games played.
In Bogaerts’ place, the switch-hitting Marwin Gonzalez will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Friday night’s series opener. Rafael Devers moves up the cleanup spot.
First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. eastern time on NESN.
(Picture of Xander Bogaerts: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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