BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox could have used David Ortiz on Sunday.
They were really hoping to have him, too.
John Farrell held out on releasing the lineup until noon - just an hour-and-a-half before the game started - in hopes that Ortiz would check out and be good to go, whether it was at first base or DH.
But when the lineup was released, Ortiz wasn't on it. An upper respiratory infection, often known as a "common cold", kept him out of the lineup.
The Red Sox went on to lose, 8-6, and fell 6.5 games behind the Yankees in the A.L. East.
Had there been a situation where Ortiz could have been used as a pinch-hitter during the game, he wouldn't have been available then, either.
"David was sent home even before the game so was not available in any capacity today," Farrell said after the game. "This came on throughout the game last night. Was checked here this morning and per doctor's instructions was to leave the ballpark."
Farrell said he had considered Ortiz "questionable" for Sunday, as he had exchanged texts with Ortiz last night and again this morning getting updates on his health. But when Ortiz arrived at the ballpark this morning, it was determined he couldn't play.
If it's just a cold, Ortiz should be fine to go by Friday when the team resumes its season after a four-day All-Star break. Also, if it's just a cold, it's too bad Ortiz couldn't at least DH his way through it on Sunday.
Farrell said the team will check up on him daily leading up to Friday.
With Ortiz out, Hanley Ramirez took his place at DH, which placed Alejandro De Aza in left field. De Aza was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Travis Shaw got the start at first base and went 0-for-2 before he was replaced by Mike Napoli, who went 1-for-2.