MINNEAPOLIS — Jacoby Ellsbury likely will not play until Friday when the Red Sox return to Boston to face Tampa Bay. There was hope he could play in this series against the Twins, but manager Terry Francona said the left fielder would need more time to get rid of the soreness from bruised ribs suffered in a collision with Adrian Beltre in Kansas City last Sunday.
Francona said the soreness was “more isolated” to a specific area but that Ellsbury still had trouble rotating his body. Half of Ellsbury’s right side was wrapped in ice packs this morning.
The team will bring Boof Bonser to Boston Friday to have his right shoulder examined. The club will try to determine why Bonser had problems getting loose in a 12-0 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Tuesday at McCoy Stadium. Bonser allowed nine runs in two innings.
The team is discussing Alan Embree’s future and the possibility of extending his April 15 out clause. The veteran lefty is pitching for Pawtucket.
Francona had David Ortiz back in the lineup hitting fifth. The manager spoke at length during the pregame session about having patience with players and not reacting to knee-jerk criticism.
“If you’re knee-jerk that’s not gonna do anybody any good,” Francona said.
He added that the decisions he’s made in which he’s given a struggling player a chance to come out of his woes eventually have benefited the team, dating to sticking with slumping Mark Bellhorn at second base in the 2004 playoffs. Bellhorn went on to hit a couple of big homers.
Ortiz apparently beat Dustin Pedroia to the ballpark this morning, a rare occurrence. “I beat Pedroia to the ballpark….first time!” Ortiz did some early hitting in the cages.
Another glorious day here. Temperatures are expected to get into the mid-70s for this afternoon’s game.
Close
The biggest headlines, delivered to your inbox
Get news as it happens. Sign up for Boston.com's email news alerts.
Thanks for signing up!
