Pregame: Red Sox Vs. Mariners

Nick Green has the day off today, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona made it clear it had nothing to do with his performance on the field.

“You know who he reminds me of recently? Michael Young when he was young,” Francona said.

Although Green hit two doubles and drove in two Red Sox runs yesterday, Francona was intimating that Green’s arm strength is similar to that of the five-time Rangers’ All-Star.

Francona remembers the last game of the season in 2003, when the Rangers moved the then-27-year-old Young to shortstop from second base in the last game of the season.

“He went into the hole on one of those plays and I remember thinking, ‘holy (expletive), he threw that ball hard,’” said Francona. “That’s the kind of thing I see in (Green). I certainly think he’s starting to feel good about himself.”

Julio Lugo, who hit .346 in June, will start in Green’s place.

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David Ortiz’s day off is also not performance based, Francona said. Ortiz, who is available to pinch hit today, hasn’t had a day off since the Sox-Nationals game on June 23rd.

“I’m just mixing and matching and I wanted to give Rocco (Baldelli) a chance to get his bat in the lineup,” said Francona. “He’ll be right there if they bring in a righty.”

Baldelli, who will start in Ortiz's place and bat fifth, is hitting .354 in 31 at bats in June and July.