For the first game of their three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, the Red Sox will be without one of their most consistent sluggers.
J.D. Martinez (back), has been scratched from Monday's lineup as Boston tries to break an eight-game losing streak on Monday night, manager Alex Cora announced. Christian Vazquez will serve as the designated hitter in Martinez's place, and Sandy León will catch.
“We scratched J.D.,” manager Alex Cora said before the game. “His back is acting up. It was a little tight. This morning he felt it, got treatment. It is what it is. We want to make sure he’s healthy. Hopefully he’ll be ready for tomorrow."
In his previous seven games, Martinez is hitting .391 with two home runs. Left fielder Andrew Benintendi will assume Martinez's cleanup spot, and León will bat ninth.
Martinez is hitting .299 with a .539 slugging percentage and a .914 OPS. The 31-year-old veteran also has 24 homers, but recurring back tightness is becoming somewhat of a concern.
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