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August 20, 2007
-- David Ortiz is out of the starting lineup tonight as manager Terry Francona weighs a couple of factors.
He wants to make sure, especially after last Friday's day-night doubleheader, that everyone gets a day off here or there as the season heads down the stretch, so that was one reason to sit Ortiz. The other factor is that Tampa Bay's starting pitcher is tough left-hander Scott Kazmir, against whom Orttiz is a paltry 5 for 34 (.147).
Ortiz's absence from the starting lineup enables Manny Ramirez to take a little load off his feet on the Tropicana Field artifical turf by serving as the designated hitter in Ortiz's customary spot. Ramirez likely will have Wednesday off here.
-- Rhode Island's Rocco Baldelli, who hasn't played since May 15, when he suffered a strained left hamstring while running out a grounder, is making his first rehabilitation start today for Class A Vero Beach. He's expected to have only two at-bats.
-- Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement, who had major shoulder surgery last fall, threw a 50-pitch side session here earlier today. He'll likely be ready to appear in a game by the middle of September, but where he'll be able to do that is problematic at this point, said Francona, because the minor league seasons will be over.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 4:39 PM | Permalink
