BOSTON — Mookie Betts is getting his first day off for the Red Sox this season.
The right fielder exited Friday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins in the top of the fifth inning with knee soreness and is still considered day-to-day going forward. Utility man Michael Martinez will start in right for Betts on Saturday and bat ninth after going 1-for-2 with two great catches as his replacement in Friday’s 2-1 loss.
Travis Shaw also is getting a breather in Boston’s third game against the Twins, and Aaron Hill will play third base and bat seventh. Left fielder Brock Holt is the leadoff hitter in Betts’ absence, too.
David Price is on the mound for the Red Sox, and he’ll be looking to bounce back from a loss to the New York Yankees that wasn’t awful but also wasn’t great. The left-hander gave up just three earned runs but allowed 11 hits while striking out only one.
Here are the Red Sox’s and Twins’ lineups for Saturday.
RED SOX (54-40)
Brock Holt, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Aaron Hill, 3B
Sandy Leon, C
Michael Martinez, RF
David Price, LHP (9-7, 4.36 ERA)
TWINS (36-60)
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Robbie Grossman, DH
Miguel Sano, 3B
Brian Dozier, 2B
Max Kepler, RF
Kennys Vargas, 1B
Eddie Rosario, LF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Byron Buxton, CF
Ricky Nolasco, RHP (4-8, 5.02 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images