CINCINNATI — Right-handed hitting outfielder Rob Refsnyder bashes left-handed pitchers but he’s not in the Red Sox lineup Friday against Reds left-handed starter Andrew Abbott (5-6, 3.42 ERA).
Refsnyder is dealing with a sore knee.
“Ref is a little bit banged up. He has right knee soreness so we decided to go this route (with the lineup),” manager Alex Cora said before Friday’s game.
Asked if it is anything serious, Cora replied, “I don’t believe so.”
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Boston and Cincinnati play at 7:10 p.m. here at Great American Ball Park. Romy Gonzalez is at shortstop. Masataka Yoshida will serve as the DH. Jarren Duran is in left field. Ceddanne Rafaela is in center field. Tyler O’Neill will play right field.
The Red Sox will activate outfielder Wilyer Abreu (ankle sprain) from the IL on Saturday. It doesn’t sound like Refsnyder will need an IL stint. Boston will need to make a move to activate Abreu though.
The Sox will have plenty of outfield depth with Abreu, Refsnyder, Duran, O’Neill and Rafaela.
“But that’s good. It’s a deeper ballclub,” Cora said. “We have options late in games. We can take care of guys.”
