After injuring his left thumb sliding into home on Tuesday night, the Boston Red Sox have placed centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. on the 10-day disabled list.
The #RedSox today placed OF Jackie Bradley Jr. on the 10-day DL (sprained left thumb) and recalled INF Deven Marrero from AAA Pawtucket. pic.twitter.com/uqaDxGTmeM
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 23, 2017
Andrew Browne of MLB.com noted that “Andrew Benintendi will play center in Bradley’s absence, with Brock Holt and Chris Young splitting time in left.”
The Red Sox still sit in excellent shape for the playoffs. Boston entered play on Wednesday with a 4.5-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees (who themselves have a 2.5 game cushion for the American League’s top Wild Card spot).
The Red Sox are in a good battle with the Cleveland Indians for the No. 2 spot in the American League, which would determine home-field advantage in a potential playoff series between the two. With two games remaining in the four-game series between the two, Boston is 2.5 up.
What all of that means is that Bradley will likely be brought back with caution. It’s never a good idea to rush someone back from an injury, but it’s far more likely to happen if the team is in the middle of an intense race.
Bradley is slashing at .262/.343/.432 with 14 home runs, 54 RBI, 50 runs, and six steals.