David Ortiz did not take batting practice on Monday still bothered by a right heel inflammation. Ortiz strained his right Achilles’ tendon last July 16. Manager John Farrell didn’t seem overly alarmed.
“When he was shut down, there was that five to seven day period where we’re going to take a look and see how the medication took hold, how the anti-inflammatory and the other treatments were bringing that along,” Farrell said. “To what extent there’s progress being made, some, but not to the point obviously where he’s ready to take some swings in the cage.”
Farrell said experience as a DH in some capacity is important to him and indicated that Jarrod Saltalamacchia isn’t a consistent option since he’s the primary catcher. On Boston’s current roster, outfielder Jonny Gomes has the most Major League experience as a DH other than Ortiz. Gomes has played 322 games as a DH, while Mike Napoli (49), Ryan Lavarnway (25), Mike Carp (24), Saltalamacchia (24) and Lyle Overb ay (13) have limited experience in the spot.
Shortstop Stephen Drew will likely head to Pittsburgh to meet with Dr. Michael Collins who is the executive director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s concussion program. Drew has been dealing with concussion symptoms since March 7 when he was hit in the helmet by a pitch.
“He feels it even when he’s not in that exertion mode,” Farrell said. “He still feels some of the symptoms from the night of hit by pitch. While there’s been some improvement, they’re still present. … He’s still in this phase where he’s unable to get back on the field.”
With Drew’s position at shortstop in jeopardy, Jose Iglesias apparently will be Boston’s opening-day shortstop. “Jose has done a very good job,” Farrell said. Pedro Ciriaco can also play the position, but he’s able to play a lot of spots and therefore may be most valuable off the bench.
Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, likely the team’s Nos. 1 and 2 starters, have combined for 11 innings of one-hit ball the last two days. Buchholz followed Lester’s six perfect innings from Sunday with five innings, four strikeouts, one walk and one hit allowed.
