Struggling Andrew Benintendi dropped to sixth while Michael Chavis moved to the top of the order in Toronto series finale.
TORONTO -- Andrew Benintendi was out of the leadoff spot on Thursday, a lineup decision that was bound to raise some eyebrows prior to the four-game series finale against the Blue Jays.
Benintendi was dropped to the sixth spot while Michael Chavis moved to the top of the Red Sox order. It’s been a struggle for the outfielder since his offseason flip-flop with Mookie Betts. Benintendi is just 3 for 34 with four walks and 13 strikeouts leading off games in 2019.
“This is a guy who we count on,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We need him. It’s not a demotion. It’s just the nature of the lineup today. I don’t know if we’re going to go with that against lefties for a while, but that might be the case.”
Cora used Toronto starter Clayton Richard, a left-hander, as the reason for the decision. He stacked three right-handed hitters at the top of the order for Boston, with Chavis followed by Betts and Xander Bogaerts. They all figured to get two at-bats against Richard, who was making his season debut and worked only four innings.
“I was going to go with Mookie and Xander on top of the lineup and then (Rafael Devers) is swinging the bat well – have (Devers) hit fourth and split them up,” Cora said. “I talked with him this morning and he understands.”
Benintendi excelled in the role last season, particularly while Betts was sidelined with an abdominal strain. He was 6 for 18 with two doubles, a home run and three walks in 21 games out of the leadoff spot. Continuing struggles against southpaws have hindered Benintendi this season – he entered Thursday slashing just .211/.373/.289 against them.
“He’s walking a lot against lefties,” Cora said. “His on-base percentage is good. I think with his swing he should be able to hit lefties. He should stay on lefties. Right now he’s pulling off. He hasn’t felt right the whole season.”
Thornburg out: Tyler Thornburg (right hip impingement) was placed on the injured list prior to Thursday’s matinee at Rogers Centre.
The right-handed reliever has struggled mightily during his Red Sox tenure, including a 40-pitch inning on Tuesday night in which he allowed two earned runs and walked a pair. Thornburg’s 7.71 earned-run average this season is more than double his career mark of 3.47, and he’s been relegated to a low-leverage role throughout 2019.
“Soreness,” Cora said. “It’s one of those where you have to stay away from him anyway. We’ll get him right. Where we’re at right now it’s a tough one. It might take three or four days or it might take 10 or 15 days.”
Thornburg underwent surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome and missed all of the 2017 season. The trade that brought Thornburg to Boston from Milwaukee after a dominant 2016 season has been a flop to this point, with the Red Sox shipping out a package headlined by infielder Travis Shaw.
Travis Lakins was promoted from Triple-A Pawtucket and arrived about 90 minutes prior to the 12:37 p.m. first pitch. Lakins took a short connecting flight from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and a longer second flight from Philadelphia to join the club for his second stint this season.
Taking a break: Brock Holt (right shoulder) and Dustin Pedroia (left knee) both enjoyed a day off from their rehab assignments on Thursday.
The PawSox played a morning series finale with the Red Barons and both infielders are likely to continue Friday with either Pawtucket or Double-A Portland.
Holt is riding a six-game hitting streak and has been able to play second base and shortstop. Pedroia has yet to notch his first extra-base hit and has served as the designated hitter on multiple occasions. He’s considered further from activation off the injured list than Holt.
“Sometimes we get caught up in him playing five (games) in six (days), but he hasn’t played second five days in a row,” Cora said. “That’s a fine line with this whole process.”
Sitting out: (break) J.D. Martinez (back tightness) sat out for the fourth straight game on Thursday.
Martinez was rested Monday, missed Tuesday due to illness and has battled back issues for each of the last two days. He received treatment during Wednesday’s game and prior to Thursday’s first pitch. Betts served as the designated hitter, a day off his feet and away from his usual spot in right field.
“It’s a tough one anyway as far as getting ready for this one,” Cora said. “I wanted to give Mookie a day and keep him off his feet defensively. It’s a plus for us hopefully. We’ll shoot for tomorrow.”