Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino started (or, more accurately, re-started) a minor-league rehab assignment yesterday at Single-A, going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts at the plate and playing five innings defensively in right field.
Victorino has been on the disabled list since mid-May with a strained hamstring, but back problems repeatedly derailed his recovery process and have now taken over as the primary issue for rehabbing. He could be cleared to rejoin the Red Sox’s lineup shortly after the All-Star break, but will have to stay setback free while playing a full nine innings in the minors first and that hasn’t happened yet.
Victorino was one of the Red Sox’s best all-around players last season, playing good defense with 21 steals and an OPS above .800, but this season at age 33 he hit just .242 with one homer and a .627 OPS in 21 games before going on the shelf.
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