ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Boston Red Sox placed right fielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season.
Both times it’s been because of a strained right hamstring. He was sidelined from the start of the season until he was activated April 24. Outfielder Daniel Nava was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Also, designated hitter David Ortiz and first baseman Mike Napoli were not listed in Saturday’s lineup because of injuries.
The flurry of activity took place before the Red Sox played Tampa Bay, with Boston trying to end an eight-game losing streak.
Manager John Farrell said Ortiz has a calf injury. Napoli is still feeling the flu-like symptoms that sidelined him Wednesday and Thursday in addition to hamstring, calf and finger issues.
“We’re beat up,” Farrell said.
Saturday was a planned day off for Ortiz to deal with his injury.
“This is what his situation called for,” Farrell said.
Napoli could miss a few days.
“I can’t say this is a one-day thing,” Farrell said. “It might be more days needed than that, and we’re hopeful to avoid a down time on the DL as well with him.”
Victorino aggravated a hamstring injury from spring training running to first base in the ninth inning of Friday night’s 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay.
“We recognize where we’re at,” Farrell said. “You have to separate the individual from the team’s win-loss record and the streak we’re on. It’s compounded by the stretch that we’re in, but at the same time, you can’t push a guy past a point where it’s detrimental for him and the risk-reward bar is swayed into the risk category.”
Victorino missed 22 games early in the season.
“We think, through the exams so far, it’s not as severe as the injury at spring training, but in combination with hamstring and just overall physical ailments that he’s battling right now, the two-week break is needed,” Farrell said.
In 21 games this season, Victorino hit .242 with one homer and 10 RBIs. Nava began the season with Boston. He hit .149 with two homers and three RBIs in 17 games before being sent to Pawtucket on April 22. Last season with Boston, Nava batted .303 with 12 homers and 66 RBIs in 134 games.
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