Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is feeling better and will be back to doing baseball activities Friday, but fans shouldn't expect to see the slugger in Boston's lineup this weekend. That was the word from manager Bobby Valentine Thursday before his team left for New York for a three-game set against its arch rival the Yankees.
According to Valentine, Ortiz is "pain-free" from his right Achilles tendon injury and would take batting practice on Friday. The news points to a return soon, but it will not be in the next few days.
Recently, Ortiz spoke about his frustrations about being out of the Red Sox lineup to WEEI.
“You’re talking to David Ortiz. I love being on the field. If I’m not on the field there’s a major reason,” he said. “I don’t just stop playing baseball because. You think with the season I’m having I want to be off the field? Hell no. As much as I mean to my team, and they need me, I want to be off the field? Nope. But injuries are injuries and the human body has a healing process.
“When it comes down to that, especially with my age and my situation I have to be smart about it. If something goes down and I re-aggravate my injury, it’s not going to be good for anybody.”
Ortiz has been out of the Red Sox lineup for a month.
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