Chris Young was activated today by the Red Sox, and he's not going to get a chance to ease his way back into the swing of the things.
Young, sidelined since suffering a severe hamstring strain on June 23, will play left field and bat seventh against Tampa Bay left-hander Blake Snell as the Red Sox open a four-game series in St. Petersburg against the Rays. Interestingly, the left-handed-hitting Andrew Benintendi -- who hit his first major-league home run Sunday -- will stay in the lineup; he moves over to center as Jackie Bradley Jr. gets the night off.
Henry Owens, who got the spot start Sunday in place of the injured Eduardo Rodriguez, was optioned back to Pawtucket to make room for Young.
Tonight's lineups:
RED SOX:
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Xander Bogaerts SS
David Ortiz DH
Mookie Betts RF
Hanley Ramirez 1B
Sandy Leon C
Chris Young LF
Aaron Hill 3B
Andrew Benintendi CF
---
David Price P
RAYS:
Logan Forsythe 2B
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Brad Miller 1B
Matt Duffy SS
Tim Beckham DH
Steven Souza Jr. RF
Mikie Mahtook LF
Luke Maile C
---
Blake Snell P