Sweeney (concussion) starting in centerfield

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BOSTON -- Ryan Sweeney returned from the 7-day disabled list Monday and was back in the the lineup, but to the surprise of many, he was in center field -- and not in right.

Instead, Adrian Gonzalez was the starting right fielder for the third start in the four games on the homestand.

During the last road trip, before Sweeney suffered a minor concussion requiring his short DL stint, Bobby Valentine indicated that he had made a deal with Sweeney: in exchange for not asking him to hit leadoff, Valentine wouldn't bounce him back and forth
between outfield spots.

But Monday morning, Valentine hinted that he might still shift Sweeney between center and right.

"Ryan says he feels great,'' said Valentine. "It's good to have him back. It seems like a month he's been out; it's only been seven days. He's a good addition.

"I wasn't planning on playing him in center (Tuesday). He's not going to play center field every day.''

Valentine added that Sweeney wouldn't be in the lineup every day, as he'll continue to play mostly against righthanded pitchers.

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