Bill Koch

Tuesday

Sep 17, 2019 at 7:38 PM


BOSTON — First, the good news.


Mookie Betts has no structural damage in his left foot. Doctors ruled out anything worse than inflammation during a Monday exam that included an X-ray and an MRI.


Second, the bad news. The Red Sox right fielder was out of the lineup for the third straight game on Tuesday as Boston hosted the Giants.


"It feels alright," Betts said. "I think we’ll just give it a little time and hopefully it comes around."


Betts [...]

BOSTON — First, the good news.

Mookie Betts has no structural damage in his left foot. Doctors ruled out anything worse than inflammation during a Monday exam that included an X-ray and an MRI.

Second, the bad news. The Red Sox right fielder was out of the lineup for the third straight game on Tuesday as Boston hosted the Giants.

“It feels alright,” Betts said. “I think we’ll just give it a little time and hopefully it comes around.”

Betts reported soreness following a three-game series against Toronto at Rogers Centre last week. He was scratched from the initial lineup prior to Saturday’s game at Philadelphia and held out again on Sunday against the Phillies. Betts received treatment early Monday and has no timetable to return.

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“I don’t think it was one incident,” Betts said. “I don’t remember diving or falling or anything in particular. It’s kind of weird how it happened, but it did.”

Betts is within striking distance of two season marks any player would like to reach. He’s batting .293 and has cracked 28 home runs, reaching base safely in 25 straight games while making a late-season charge. Betts has hit at least .300 and reached 30 home runs in two of his last three seasons.

“We’ll go day by day,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “When he’s ready, he’ll play.

“When we go to Tampa most likely he’ll DH down there. I’m not going to play him in the outfield because of the turf.”

Boston entered the night 9 games behind the Rays for the second American League wild card spot. The Red Sox had just 13 games to play – they’re all but mathematically eliminated from the race. Betts said he would have attempted to play through pain if circumstances were different.

“I’d have to play in a situation like that,” Betts said. “Obviously we’re not there, and we have the opportunity to play it a little safe.”

 

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25