BOSTON (AP) — Designated hitter David Ortiz was a late scratch from the Boston Red Sox lineup for the first game of Tuesday’s day-night doubleheader with Tampa Bay because of illness.
Ortiz, batting .300 with 24 home runs and 79 RBIs, was in the original lineup, but the change came as Jon Lester was facing the first batter of the game.
Jed Lowrie replaced Ortiz in the lineup, and there was no word on Ortiz’s status for the second game.
The Red Sox were already without shortstop Marco Scutaro, who was out with back stiffness. Mike Aviles started at shortstop, and it was unclear whether Scutaro would be available as the day wore on.
