Boston’s David Ortiz unhappy with Wednesday benching
David Ortiz wasn’t in the Boston Red Sox starting lineup Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles, and he obviously wasn’t happy about it.
Ortiz kept his back to reporters, sitting in front of his locker as he reluctantly fielded questions about why he wasn’t starting against Orioles lefty Wei-Yin Chen.
“What do you want me to tell you?” Ortiz said. “You have to ask the manager. I am not the manager here. I’m just the player. I do what I get to be told. I’m not playing today, so I’m here in case he needs me later.”
Ortiz, a left-handed hitter, has a .144 batting average against lefties this season. He is, however, hitting .308 lifetime against Chen.
“You look at the overall body of work against lefties, and that’s what we are trying to address,” manager John Farrell said.
Farrell said he informed Ortiz on Tuesday night of his decision.
Ortiz, 39, played in 52 of Boston’s first 59 games. His six home runs are fourth on the team, and he’s tied for fifth with 21 RBIs. He has gone 66 at-bats since his last home run, May 19 against Texas.
Although Ortiz has struggled against lefties, he’s got a .278 batting average against right-handers.
Four Cougs, one Bulldog drafted
Washington State had four players selected on the third and final day of the MLB draft.
Infielder Ian Sagdal was selected in the 16th round by the Washington Nationals. The Seattle Mariners selected senior left-hander Joe Pistorese in the 17th round and catcher P.J. Jones in the 19th round. Junior left-hander Matt Bower was picked by the Houston Astros in the 23rd round.
Gonzaga junior infielder/right-handed pitcher Taylor Jones was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th round.
Yankees closer goes on DL
The Yankees’ dominant bullpen took a big hit when the team announced closer Andrew Miller has a left forearm strain and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Manager Joe Girardi said Miller will not throw for 10 days to two weeks.
Clearing the bases
Outfielder Gregor Blanco has been put on the seven-day concussion disabled list by the Giants, who appear likely to also put All-Star Hunter P ence on the DL. Pence has not played since June 2 because of a sore left wrist. … Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings has had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. There is no timetable for Jennings’ return. … The Padres have demoted former starting second baseman Jedd Gyorko to Triple-A El Paso and recalled right-hander Nick Vincent. … The Angels have recalled third baseman Kyle Kubitza from Triple-A Salt Lake and designated outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis for assignment. … Reds shortstop Zack Cozart hurt his right knee during the first inning of a game against the Phillies and had to be helped off the field. … Yankees infielder Brendan Ryan has been activated from the 60-day disabled list. Ryan had missed the entire season with calf and hamstring injuries.