ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Red Sox outfielder and usual designated hitter JD Martinez is back on the roster for the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, but he’ll remain sidelined for the second straight playoff game as he continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained in Sunday’s win over the Washington Nationals in the regular-season finale.
Martinez was left off the roster in Boston’s 6-2 win over the New York Yankees in Tuesday’s AL Wild Card Game. The starting lineup for Thursday’s Game One remains largely the same as Tuesday’s contest, with Christian Vazquez slotting back in as catcher for the only change.
- Kiké Hernandez, CF
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Rafael Devers, 3B
- Hunter Renfroe, RF
- Alex Verdugo, LF
- Bobby Dalbec,1B
- Christian Vazquez, C
- Christian Arroyo, 2B
PREVIOUS: Bogaerts, Verdugo lead Red Sox to victory in AL Wild Card Game, set up date with Rays
Game One of the ALDS is set for Thursday night as the Red Sox are down in Tampa Bay to face off against the best team in the American League.
The Sox have tapped pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to lead them on the mound for the first game of this playoff series. The big start means a lot to him, especially after getting COVID last year and then being diagnosed with myocarditis. After that, he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to play baseball again. But after battling back, he is thrilled to get the start.
“It means a lot because, you know, everything I went through last year, and [to] have the opportunity to throw the first inning in the ALDS, it feels really good,” Rodriguez said. “It’s just special for me to have the opportunity to start a game like that.”
After testing positive for COVID last season, Rodriguez was the only major leaguer to be diagnosed with myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle and can lead to cardiac arrest. After sitting out that shortened season, he returned this year, starting 31 games. He’s been hot and cold, but he’s been coming on strong as of late, having arguably his best start at Tropicana Field last month, firing six shutout innings.
Manager Alex Cora said he is proud of Rodriguez and knows this is a big start for the 28-year-old.
>>>MORE: Defending AL champ Rays poised to open ALDS against Red Sox
“He represents everything that we ask for, for a player, just show up, work hard and do your best out there; and he’s done that since I got here,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
So how do the Sox stack up against the Rays? Tampa is 11-8 against Boston this season. But it is the playoffs and anything can happen.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW