Boston Red Sox Health Troubles Continue with Bradley Jr.

Mar 15, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. The game ended in a tie 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. The game ended in a tie 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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As Mookie Betts returns to the Boston Red Sox lineup, Jackie Bradley Jr. is out with a swollen knee.

Mookie Betts who missed the last 2 games (flu) will be back in the starting lineup on Sunday for the Boston Red Sox. Jackie Bradley Jr. will miss Sunday’s game due to a twisted knee. Bradley twisted his knee rounding 1st base on Saturday. The knee originally wasn’t a concern but it swelled up and stiffened overnight.

Update:  MRI revealed a sprained ligament in Bradley Jr.’s knee.

The Red Sox are already without Hanley Ramirez (flu) and Xander Bogaerts (grieving). The flu hit the Red Sox hard, affecting Betts, Ramirez, and Holt. It is great to get Betts back but losing Bradley Jr. hurts this already depleted unit.

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Despite starting 2-2, Boston has only scored in 4 of the 39 innings they’ve played. Most fans expected the offense to cool off from last year after David Ortiz retired. Red Sox fans shouldn’t be worried because we haven’t seen this team’s full potential.

Boston should be back at full strength in no time.

On top of the flu tearing through Boston’s starting lineup, David Price has yet to see the field this season. The star pitcher has been dealing with an elbow injury, though he is expected to throw his first bullpen session on Monday. Starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz who was on the 10-day DL with a forearm injury will make his first start on Tuesday against the orioles.

Boston will likely be without Ramirez, Bradley Jr., and Bogaerts until the team is back in Boston on Tuesday.

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The good news is the injuries that have plagued the Red Sox early this season haven’t been serious. This team could be back at full strength by the end of the month or even sooner.