Andrew Benintendi returns to Red Sox lineup in leadoff spot

BOSTON --- Andrew Benintendi isn’t among those panicking about his slow start to this 2020 season.

Players seldom do, of course. Even less common is the hitter who actually admits he’s pressing or struggling.

The Red Sox outfielder’s early line through two starts and one pinch-hitting appearance is an ugly one – 0-for-10, two walks, one run. He returned to Monday’s lineup for the first of four straight games with the Mets. [...]

BOSTON --- Andrew Benintendi isn’t among those panicking about his slow start to this 2020 season.

Players seldom do, of course. Even less common is the hitter who actually admits he’s pressing or struggling.

The Red Sox outfielder’s early line through two starts and one pinch-hitting appearance is an ugly one – 0-for-10, two walks, one run. He returned to Monday’s lineup for the first of four straight games with the Mets.

"It’s been two games," Benintendi said. "I think once that first one falls, hopefully, it will get things going. The first one is the toughest."

Former Boston manager Alex Cora shoehorned Benintendi into the leadoff spot last season, flipping him in the order with Mookie Betts. Ron Roenicke seems determined to stay the course despite Benintendi’s numbers suggesting a move could be in order.

Benintendi’s .679 career OPS in the first inning is his second-worst in any frame, and he’s 5-for-44 with five walks and just one extra-base hit in his first at-bat as the leadoff man over the last two seasons. He was eventually moved to the No. 2 spot midway through 2019 and Betts was restored to the top of the order.

The Red Sox could find that more difficult to do this season. J.D. Martinez seems to have made the second spot his own, jumping out to a 5-for-13 start with a pair of doubles. Boston could eventually use another outfield pair to front the lineup – Kevin Pillar and Alex Verdugo.

"I think right now I’m a little jumpy," Benintendi said. "I feel like I’m out in front of everything. Just got to make that adjustment."

Reconfiguring the ballpark with social distancing in mind has made it more difficult for Red Sox hitters to watch video of their at-bats during games. Martinez referenced the lack of a monitor at the club’s indoor cage during an earlier media session and Benintendi said occasionally he could benefit from using one before returning to the plate.

"I think it’s kind of a bad habit to get into, personally," Benintendi said. "But if I felt something in my swing I could check it out and see if it made sense and try to correct it after that."

bkoch@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7054

On Twitter: @BillKoch25