Projo Sox Blog

David Ortiz' sabbatical from the lineup continued today, and there's a good chance it will last into Sunday, as well. Manager Terry Francona said he expects that Ortiz might sit through Monday's off-day, which would bring him back to the lineup Tuesday against Toronto.

"I really do want to get him through the off day. I think it's good for him," Francona said.

Ortiz, mired in a deep slump, is homerless on the year, and his normally ebullient personality seems dimmed by his performance. But Francona said he thought he saw signs that the slugger is feeling a little bit better.

"I think it was a typical reaction yesterday -- when I first saw him in the afternoon, he looked like he fought his pillow. Then later in the day, he looked a little better. Swung in the cage, was quiet -- I hope that will do him some good. That's all I'm trying to accomplish," he said.

Nor, he said, has Ortiz truly been 'benched.'

"I'm trying to give him a little break, to get himself together. And he knows that," Francona said.

Francona said he is pulling for Ortiz, certainly, but that it seems like the entire baseball world is joining him in hoping the slugger turns it around.

"It sure does, doesn't it? What he means to the game, that face, when you see it light up." Francona said.

 Tags  Boston Red Sox Dan Barbarisi David Ortiz Terry Francona

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