Projo Sox Blog

David Ortiz was out of the lineup again today, getting another "break" as the team tries to pull him out of his deep slump. His place in the lineup, meanwhile, may not necessarily be set in its usual stone when he comes back Tuesday.

Speculation is rampant that Ortiz will be dropped from his usual third spot in the order when he comes back tomorrow, but Francona would not say.

"My talk with David is kind of me and David," Francona said, adding that a scheduled day off for Mike Lowell could result in multiple lineup changes tomorrow.

"I'll make out the lineup tomorrow, I haven't made it out yet. I know Lowell's not playing," he said.

Ortiz implied that he understands whatever happens, happens.

"He's the boss. I'm an employee. I follow orders. That's the way it's always been," he said.

But after the game, Ortiz maintained that Francona has told him nothing about where he'll bat Tuesday.

"No idea. He hasn't left yet, right? Go find out," he said.

Tonight, the Sox were facing lefty Francisco Liriano, so manager Terry Francona said that this was a good day to get the lefty Ortiz out of the lineup.

"We're trying to use a lot of righties today against Liriano," Francona said. "We want David to have a day against this guy."

Ortiz received the entire Seattle series off last week, and he did hit his first home run of the year when he came back to Boston. But he is hitless in his last three games, and his average dropped below .200 Sunday.

"He's been behind the fastball at times, ahead of the breaking ball. He's not seeing the ball as good as he needs to. It leads to other things. It's normal hitters' woes," Francona said.

 Tags  Dan Barbarisi David Ortiz Mike Lowell Terry Francona

Comments

Lee Hansen said:

Lets remember him in what he has done in the past. This is a shame whats going on now. Maybe, just maybe the ship will right itself down the road . Lets hope so.

Link | May 25, 2009 9:57 PM
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oreo said:

Let's remember Manny (roids) his good friend. Let's remember Sen. Mitchel's report on all the Yankees doing roids but no Sox players. Let's remember Mitchel is or was on the Sox Board. Let's remember Ortiz couldn't hit his weight in Minn. either. Let's remember Ortiz was a big part of 2 world series championships. Let's give those titles back as the SOX are cheaters!! So are the Pats! HAHAHAHA

Link | May 26, 2009 1:08 PM
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