by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/18/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz entered Tuesday's first game of a doubleheader against the Rays having driven in only one run over his previous seven games. He got back on track in the 5-1 win.
Ortiz went 2 for 4 with three RBI. He hit a two-run single in the third inning and added another RBI single in the fifth.
With 52 RBI on the year over 53 games, Ortiz has 10 in his last 10 games, despite the mini-slump. He's batting .303 with 14 home runs and 13 doubles.
David Ortiz hits another home run
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (6/14/2013) The same day he said he wouldn't participate in the Home Run Debry this season, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz clubbed his 14th home run of the season.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Ortiz took a 97 mph fastball from Kevin Gausman out to right for a solo shot. It was Ortiz's only hit of the game. Ortiz is hitting .306/.390/.613 in 186 at-bats this season.
Ortiz said taking batting practice before games "wears him out," and he wouldn't have the energy to make it through the Derby. Ortiz last participated in the event in 2011, and picked Robinson Cano to take part. Cano will be captain of the AL team this season, and may have considered Ortiz due to their relationship.
Ortiz is hitting .309/.394/.608 with 13 home runs.
David Ortiz hits three-run homer
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/9/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz hit his 13th home run Sunday in a 10-5 win over the Angels.
Ortiz hit a one-out, three-run homer in the third inning off starter Joe Blanton. He finished 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Ortiz is batting .322.
The 37-year-old has gone 5 for 18 over his last four games with three homers and nine RBI. He's homered five times over his last 10 games with 14 RBI over that span. Ortiz has 13 homers and 48 RBI in 171 at-bats.
David Ortiz launches 11th career walkoff dinger
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (6/6/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz came through with a walkoff, three-run home run to end the game Thursday night against the Rangers.
Ortiz drove the first pitch he saw from reliever Michael Kirkman to break a tie game and lift Boston to a 6-3 victory. It was his 11th career walkoff home run. He finished 1 for 4 with a walk, one run scored and three RBI. He has a .325/.399/.624 slash line with 11 homers and 42 RBI in 42 games played.
Two extra-base hits for David Ortiz
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (6/5/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz doubled and tripled in Tuesday's win over the Rangers.
Ortiz finished 2 for 6 with a run scored and three RBI. Despite his lack of speed, the triple was the 17th of Ortiz's career. Ortiz did not triple in 2012 but has at least one triple in every other season from 2000 through the present.
David Ortiz keeps slugging away
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (6/3/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz homered for the second time in four games and the 10th time this season Sunday against the Yankees. Ortiz is batting .329 (24 for 73) with two doubles, six home runs, 13 walks, 16 runs and 19 RBI in his last 21 games.
David Ortiz not worried about heels
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/30/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who will make his first appearance of the season at first base Thursday, is no longer worried about the heel injuries that plagued him this spring, the Boston Herald reports.
"I tell you what, though: The baseball activity, believe it or not, thinking how I was feeling when I first started playing, it helped me out a lot with being less concerned about things," Ortiz told the Herald. "Like when you are running, when you are doing things, at the beginning I was very concerned about it. As I keep on running and doing things, I'm not worried about it. I'm not worried about it anymore."
Ortiz hasn't played first base in a major-league game since June 17.
David Ortiz to make first appearance in the field
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/30/2013)David Ortiz is in the lineup at first base for the Red Sox Thursday the Phillies after sitting out the first of two games in a National League park Wednesday. Ortiz has yet to appear at any position beside designated hitter this season.
Mike Napoli gets the nod at first base in the first game of the club's NL-rules interleague series. Ortiz could get a start at first base in Thursday's game.
David Ortiz to play 1B in Philly
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/27/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortizwill play first base in one of the two games at Philadelphia this week, according to The Boston Globe. With the game being played at a National League park, Ortiz will take the field Wednesday or Thursday.
Ortiz is hitting .341/.401/.618 in 123 at-bats. He is hitting .378 with three home runs and 12 RBI in his last 10 games played.
David Ortiz homers vs. Indians
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/23/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz homered for the eighth time this season -- a three-run shot off starter Zach McAllister in the third -- for his only hit. He finished 1 for 3 with a run and three RBI in Thursday's 12-3 loss.
Ortiz is hitting .372 (16 for 43) with four home runs and 17 RBI in his last 11 games. He has a .351/.395/.640 line with eight homers and 34 RBI in 114 at-bats.
Stealing third a strong indication of David Ortiz's health
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/23/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz stole third base for the first time in his career Wednesday against the White Sox. It was his first stolen base since 2011.
"Just felt like it was a chance to gain 90 feet if we have a hard-hit basehit," manager John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. "We felt like it was an opportunity to move up. I don't know if we'll make a habit of it."
It was still an encouraging sign about Ortiz's health. The slugger began the season on the disabled list because of lingering problems with his Achilles.
"I've been running well lately. I've been feeling better," Ortiz said. "If I feel well I'm going to run. I mean not steal bases, but try to take advantage of whatever's happening, whenever a guy hits the ball or whatever. ... Momentum in the game, it happens. And I don’t have a zero in that category anymore."
David Ortiz hits two homers in six-RBI performance
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/19/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz went 3 for 4 with two home runs, six RBI, three runs scored and a walk in a 12-6 win over the Twins.
Ortiz has a .362/.408/.681 line with seven home runs and 29 RBI in only 103 plate appearances. He's 6 for 8 in his last two games and has a six-game hitting streak.
David Ortiz blames slump on oblique issue
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is blaming a sore oblique muscle for his batting slump, ESPN reports.
"I've been dealing with a sore left side," Ortiz said. "For that reason, I was pulling the ball rather than hitting it the opposite way. I was hurt in one of the first games when we returned home due to the cold, but I'm feeling better and soon will start hitting again."
Ortiz had just one hit in his last 20 at-bats entering Tuesday, but pulled an inside fastball against Tampa Bay starter Matt Moore for a three-run homer in the first inning of Tuesday's game.
Red Sox manager providing David Ortiz a breather
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz was held out of the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale vs. Toronto because manager John Farrell wanted to provide him two straight days off heading into Tuesday's game against the Rays, which opens a nine-game road trip.
Ortiz is batting .059 (1 for 17) in his last four games, but Farrell said it doesn't have anything to do with the column earlier this week suggesting Ortiz's fast start has been aided by performance-enhancing drugs, according to The Boston Herald.
"He gets off to a great start, goes into a little bit of a three or four game thing where he might be pulling off the ball more than he did when he first rejoined us," Farrell said. "There's nothing abnormal here. We'd love to think that he's going to hit .500 for the whole year, but that's probably going to tail off at some point."
David Ortiz hitless in last 17 plate appearances
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has gone 0 for 16 with a walk over his last 17 plate appearances, WEEI.com reported Saturday.
The skid coincides with a Boston Globe story about Ortiz being asked if he was using performance-enhancing drugs.
“I can’t say the story has affected him in the result of what the last three days have been,” manager John Farrell said.
David Ortiz held hitless
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) For just the second time this season, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz failed to reach base in back-to-back games. Ortiz finished 0 for 5 Thursday night against the Twins.
He has been held without a hit in his last 10 at-bats since having his 27-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday. Ortiz has gone 0 for 5 (or worse) in back-to-back game for just the third time in his career and the first time since 2004.
Ortiz is hitting .353/.384/.662 with four homers and 17 RBI through his first 68 at-bats.
Hitting streak over for David Ortiz
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz snapped his 27-game hitting streak Wednesday in a game that saw Boston and the Twins combine for 23 runs and 32 hits.
Ortiz went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and was 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position, lowering his batting average to .381.
David Ortiz extends streak with homer
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz extended his hitting streak to 25 games in Sunday's series finale against the Rangers. He went 1 for 3 with a home run and a walk in the 4-3 loss.
The 37-year-old launched a two-run shot off starter Yu Darvish in his first at-bat for his fourth long ball of the season.
Ortiz is batting .440 through 13 games with 17 RBI and an .840 slugging percentage.
Hot-hitting David Ortiz gets a breather
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz was left out of the starting lineup Thursday at Toronto for the first time in eight games. Mike Napoli started at DH in Ortiz's absence.
The Boston Globe suggests Ortiz's absence is because the Red Sox don't want him to play on turf for a third straight day since he only came off the disabled list in late April after missing the start of the season due to an Achilles injury.
Ortiz is on a torrid stretch since making his season debut April 20. He's hit safely in all 10 games, batting .487 (19 for 39) with three home runs, seven doubles, nine runs and 15 RBI.
David Ortiz keeps on raking
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz had another monster performance on Tuesday night in Toronto. Ortiz drove in four more runs for Boston in a 9-7 loss.
Ortiz went 2 for 5 with a double and his third home run of the season. He went deep in the fourth inning off starter Brandon Morrow for a solo shot. Ortiz added a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning to give the Red Sox a short-lived 7-6 lead.
Ortiz has 15 RBI on the year and has driven in at least one run in eight of his nine games. He's batting .500 at this point after 36 at-bats with six doubles and eight runs scored.
David Ortiz to come crashing down
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/30/2013)David Ortiz is probably the most likable player in the game. But, in terms of Fantasy value, the Red Sox' designated hitter is due for a production drop-off, and it may be coming soon.
Ortiz, hitting .516, is rolling along with a mixture of skill, adrenaline, and fury. His five doubles are one fewer than 2012 leader Alex Gordon's current total (despite Gordon having three times the at-bats) and he's driven in 11 runs in eight games. But Ortiz has done most of this damage in four games against the Astros (their 5.33 ERA is the worst in the majors) and two against Oakland (4.28 ERA is the sixth-worst). Additionally, all of Ortiz's games have come in Fenway Park, where he has a career .316 average, 1.012 OPS, and 619 RBI.
Ortiz will still have a solid season, but if you can sell high before he inevitably cools down over the next six games on the road (which kick off 13 days without a scheduled day off for Boston), then now would be the time to make the move. His injury worries seem to be forgotten, and the strong start may just get the right owner in the mood to trade some real value away for the slugger.
David Ortiz matches career-long hit streak
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has his batting average up to .519 after his first seven games of the season. In fact, he's hit safely in all seven of those games and in 19 straight dating back to last July, the Boston Globe reports.
Ortiz went 2 for 3 Saturday against Houston with a double, sacrifice fly and three more RBI. He also walked in the contest. He's started the year 14 for 27 with four doubles, two homers and nine RBI and is slugging .889.
The 19-game hitting streak Ortiz is currently on dating back to last season matches the longest hitting streak of his career.
So far, so good for David Ortiz
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/26/2013) When I found out David Ortiz would begin 2013 on the DL with the same injury that sidelined him for much of 2012, I had two chief concerns:
1. Can I trust him to stay in the lineup when he does return?
2. Will this injury ultimately bring about his decline?
So far, he's done a good job of invalidating those concerns. Ortiz has played five of seven games since returning -- sitting out once in a doubleheader -- and seems as adept at the plate as ever. When he figured out how to hit lefties in 2011, he eliminated his one real weakness. Now, only Father Time can slow him down, and he seems to have passed him over yet again.
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz enjoyed another big night at the plate as he uncorked his first home run of the season Thursday against the Astros.
Ortiz singled in a run in the first and took starter Philip Humber deep for a solo shot in the third inning. He also added another single in the fifth and finished 3 for 4 with three runs and two RBI in a 7-2 victory.
Ortiz is hitting .550/.571/.850 with one home run and five RBI through his first five games.
David Ortiz records two more hits
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz had another multiple-hit game and an RBI on Wednesday as Boston beat the A's 6-5. Ortiz went 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the fifth inning.
Batting fourth, Ortiz added a walk, a double and scored a run for the Red Sox. After four games, Big Papi is 8 for 16 (.500) with three runs scored, three doubles and three RBI. He's recorded multiple hits in three of the four games.
David Ortiz out of Tuesday's lineup
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Athletics.
When Ortiz was activated from the DL, he said that he would need some time off while he gets reacclimated to full-time play. Ortiz should return to the starting lineup Wednesday.
David Ortiz has five hits in two games
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has a two-game hitting streak to begin his season after an Achilles issue kept him out until Saturday's game against the Royals. On Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader, Ortiz went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Ortiz singled home Daniel Nava in the first inning in a game Boston lost 4-2. He was not expected to play in the night cap. Ortiz was lifted after his third hit of the day when Pedro Ciriaco pinch-ran for him in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Ortiz has gone 5 for 8 (.625) in his first two games back with an RBI in each contest.
David Ortiz likely sitting in Game 2 of doubleheader
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Royals Sunday. That said, Ortiz is likely to sit out the second game as manager John Farrell said he will proceed with caution with the slugger as he recovers from Achilles soreness, the Boston Herald reports.
Ortiz returned for Boston in Saturday's win over the Royals as he went 2 for 4 with an RBI single.
David Ortiz back with a vengeance
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz returned to action following his lengthy Achilles injury Saturday against the Royals. He immediately made a difference for the Red Sox.
Boston won 4-3 and Ortiz singled home a run with a base hit up the middle in the sixth inning to tie the score 1-1.
Ortiz, batting fourth, went 2 for 4 in his first action of the year for Boston. He said after the game that it's going to be a work in progress going forward, the Boston Herald reports.
"We all know it's going to take some time to heal up," Big Papi said. "But it's step-by-step, and this was one of those steps forward."
At long last, David Ortiz in lineup for Sox
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) For the first time since last August, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was in the starting lineup during Saturday's game against visiting Kansas City. Ortiz, who slotted in the cleanup spot, had missed the start of the season with a lingering Achilles issue that abruptly ended his 2012 campaign.
David Ortiz back on active roster
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was activated from the disabled list Friday after missing the start of the season with a lingering Achilles injury. Ortiz was limited to just 90 games because of the issue last season -- the first time he failed to appear in at least 100 games since the 2001 campaign with Minnesota -- but completed a minor-league rehab assignment without issue over the past two weeks.
Ortiz was expected to be in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Royals before the game was postponed. Outfielder Jackie Bradley was optioned to the minors to clear a spot on the roster for Ortiz.
David Ortiz to return Friday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz is expected to make his season debut Friday.
Ortiz will rejoin the team Friday. He has yet to play in a major-league game this season due to an Achilles injury. Ortiz said he might need a few days off at first to build his stamina. Jackie Bradley Jr. is expected to be sent down to make room for Ortiz.
Manager expects David Ortiz back this weekend
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday he's expecting DH David Ortiz (Achilles) to come off the disabled list this weekend, according to WEEI.com. Ortiz will play in his fourth rehab game for Triple-A Pawtucket Wednesday.
"In talking to him on my drive into the ballpark today, he’s feeling good, although he’s in that -- I don’t want to say mid-spring training game mode because he’s still working to get his timing down," Farrell said. "Those subtle adjustments are taking place. But most importantly, his heels and Achilles are feeling good. He’s able to take everyday at-bats. He’s on the mend. We’re hopeful that sometime this weekend, he’s back in our lineup when we get back off this roadtrip."
Don't count out David Ortiz
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013)David Ortiz is expected to return to the Red Sox lineup Friday, a welcome relief for a team that has been surprisingly lackluster on offense. Will his return also be a boost for Fantasy owners?
Fantasy owners were scared off by Ortiz starting the season on the disabled list, but now that he is back, his value should pick up again. Given his injury and the time off, it would not be a surprise to see Ortiz start slowly, but Fantasy owners should probably avoid panicking.
With the exception of 2012, Ortiz has been a notorious slow starter in recent years. He had just three home runs in three combined Aprils from 2009-2011, prompting innumerable, breathless, "Is David Ortiz done?" columns. He went on to post at least 28 home runs in each season. At this point, we should have learned to not count Big Papi out, even at the age of 37.
Ortiz's lack of positional versatility and the fact that he will need extra time off to stay healthy will almost certainly limit his value for Fantasy owners. Those are reasons to be wary of relying on Ortiz too much, and they are good ones. Just don't overreact if it takes him a couple dozen at-bats to get going. He is going to hit.
David Ortiz targeting Friday return to Red Sox
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) said Tuesday he hopes to be activated from the disabled list for the start of Boston's 10-game homestand that begins Friday against Kansas City, the Providence Journal reports. Ortiz returned to the lineup for Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday after missing the past two games, including Monday's contest due to a sore left heel.
"I've got another three games before I go to the bigs, so I think it will be fine," said Ortiz, who has not played in the majors since last August. "I'm seeing pitches. A guy like me, I have an idea about the things that I want to do. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I'm where I like to be right now, but playing is the way that you get there."
David Ortiz's return a relief for Red Sox
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) returned to the lineup with Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday as he continues his minor-league rehab assignment, the Providence Journal reports. Ortiz missed the past two games with Pawtucket, including Monday's contest, after experiencing pain in his left heel.
David Ortiz scratched with 'mild heel pain'
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was scratched from his second consecutive rehab game with Triple-A Pawtucket Monday, but it wasn't due to the same ailment, SoxProspects.com reports.
Ortiz missed Sunday's game due to an illness but was suffering from mild left heel soreness Monday. He was removed from the lineup for precautionary reasons considering he's on the disabled list due to his Achilles problems.
"I was handing out the lineup card and he was out in left field trying to get loose," Pawtucket manager Gary DiSarcina said. "When I came back, the trainer came up and said [Ortiz] had left mild heel pain. He was removed for precautionary reasons, so he'll be re-examined tomorrow."
David Ortiz scratched yet again
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was scratched for the second consecutive game for Triple-A Pawtucket Monday night, MassLive.com reports. Ortiz was under the weather and was scratched from Sunday's game. His illness likely remains the reason he's out, though no official announcement was made.
Ortiz was originally expected to return for the Red Sox on Friday, but that may now be pushed back, though no official decision has been made.
Big Papi was expected to return to action Monday, according to manager John Farrell, who made a statement earlier in the day from Fenway Park.
David Ortiz set to resume playing Monday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz, who was scratched from a rehab game Sunday because of an illness, is expected to resume playing for Triple-A Pawtucket Monday and hit four times. Ortiz is 3 for 7 (.429) with three RBI through two rehab games.
Sick David Ortiz scratched from rehab start
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz had to be scratched from his scheduled rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket Sunday due to an illness, the Boston Herald reports.
Ortiz has gone 3 for 7 with three singles in his first two rehab games for Triple-A Pawtucket. He should get right back in the minor-league lineup once he's over the illness.
David Ortiz has two RBI in rehab game
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz participated in his second Triple-A rehab game with Pawtucket Saturday. He went 1 for 4 with a two-run single and a strikeout.
Ortiz has is 3 for 7 -- all singles -- in two rehab games, WEEI.com reports.
David Ortiz to see more rehab at-bats
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) will take 3-4 at-bats in his first game of a doubleheader for Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday, the Boston Herald reports.
Ortiz played in Thursday's game and went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and an RBI. He also scored a run and said afterward he felt fine running.
David Ortiz feeling 'good' after rehab outing
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) For the first time since last August, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) played in a game Thursday during the start of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket. Ortiz finished 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and an RBI while showing no problems with his ailing Achilles on his run scored.
"I feel all right," he told ESPN.com after the game. "I felt good running. I got to see some action on the bases and everything was fine. I was getting cold out there and I was getting a little sore, a good sore. I kind of ran a lot today, so you don't want to go too crazy about it and that's why I'm going to play a lot of games here."
David Ortiz set for Triple-A rehab assignment
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket Thursday, according to ESPN. Ortiz has played in a few extended spring games this week.
Ortiz has told manager John Farrell he would feel comfortable returning to the lineup after 25-30 at-bats at Pawtucket, which would put him on track to return for Boston's series against the Royals from April 19-21.
David Ortiz active for second day
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) participated in an extended spring training game Tuesday, reports the Boston Globe. Ortiz went 2 for 5 and is expected to play in another Wednesday. He should embark on a rehab assignment shortly after and could rejoin the Red Sox in about a week.
David Ortiz partakes in simulated game
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Red Sox manager John Farrell said Monday DH David Ortiz (Achilles) went 1 for 5 with a double and one strikeout during a simulated game at the team's spring complex in Florida, according to ESPN. Ortiz is expected to get three days of activity before being sent a rehab assignment, barring any setbacks.
David Ortiz nearing rehab assignment
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) The Red Sox have a tentative plan for designated hitter David Ortiz going forward, reports the Boston Globe Sunday. Boston expects Ortiz to play in extended spring training games Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
At that point, he could begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket. Ortiz likely needs six or seven games with the PawSox before returning to the big club. Boston skipper John Farrell said earlier in the week that he believes the third week in April could be a realistic timetable for Ortiz's return and that appears to be on track at the moment.
David Ortiz expected back mid-April
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Boston skipper John Farrell said Wednesday that he believes the third week in April could be a realistic timetable for the return of designated hitter David Ortiz off the disabled list, reports WEEI.com.
Ortiz, who continues to make progress with his running program in his rehab of Achilles issues to both heels, is expected to begin playing in extended spring training games Monday. He will then look to get around 25-30 at-bats with Triple-A Pawtucket in a rehab assignment.
Jonny Gomes will continue to be used as the DH for the Red Sox until Big Papi can return.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013) Red Sox DH David Oritz (Achilles), who opens the year on the 15-day disabled list, will run Monday, according to the Boston Herald. He said his heels feel "more stable" than before with previous setbacks. He said he might be able to play in rehab games by next week.
David Ortiz placed on disabled list
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/31/2013) The Red Sox officially placed designated hitter David Ortiz on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, reports the Boston Globe.
Ortiz, who had been expected to begin the year on the shelf, continues to deal with his Achilles' issue. He could return to game action by the second week of the regular season but remains in extended spring training for now.
Red Sox keeping David Ortiz in plans
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Red Sox manager John Farrell said Saturday that ailing designated hitter David Ortiz (heel) could return to game action during the week of April 8, the Boston Globe reports. Ortiz missed the entire Grapefruit League schedule while nursing a lingering heel injury and is expected to remain in Florida in extended spring training for the start of the season.
Farrell said the planned at-bats would occur in the minors, as there is still no clear timetable for Ortiz's return to the Red Sox lineup.
David Ortiz takes batting practice on field Wednesday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz is taking batting practice on the field Wednesday. Ortiz has been dealing with an Achilles injury this spring, and has not played in any games. Ortiz has been taking swings inside this week, but this is the first time he’s gone out to the field and hit. He still remains doubtful for the start of the season, but has made progress recently.
Positive update for David Ortiz
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/25/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz took yet another day of batting practice inside the cages on Monday, continuing his deliberate by steady workload since he was able to begin baseball-related activities once again, reports WEEI.com.
Boston is hopeful that Ortiz may take batting practice on the field with teammates by the middle or end of the week.
"The biggest thing is the number of swings he’s taking, he’s not feeling any irritation or push-back from the volume he’s going through," manager John Farrell told reporters in Sarasota.
Ortiz is still expected to stay in Fort Myers for extended spring training when the team breaks camp.
David Ortiz takes some swings
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who still just hopes to get back on the field before Boston breaks spring training next Saturday, completed some agility and conditioning drills on the back fields on Sunday, reports ESPN.
Ortiz hit in the cage and manager John Farrell said the "penciled-in plan" is to have him stay in Fort Myers for extended spring training when the team breaks camp.
David Ortiz has less aggressive goal
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Boston designated hitter David Ortiz will begin the year on the disabled list, as he continues to deal with inflammation in both of his heels. At this point, the Red Sox just want him to get back on the field before the team breaks camp next Saturday, the Boston Herald reports.
"The one thing we’d like to see before we break camp would be to see him on the field in some capacity, whether that’s running the bases, whether that’s taking BP on the field," manager John Farrell said. "That would be a reasonable goal, a reasonable step.”
Ortiz has been shut down for two weeks already and has gone through a strength and conditioning program the last few days.
David Ortiz feeling fine after batting practice
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013)David Ortiz isn't feeling any extra pain Wednesday after taking about 50 swings in the batting cage on Tuesday to test his ailing Achilles, Maureena Mullen of CSN New England reports. The Red Sox slugger will continue workouts Wednesday, although it is uncertain when he will return to hitting, either in the cage or in Grapefruit League action.
David Ortiz gets some swings in cage
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz took 50 swings in the batting cage on Tuesday as he continues to recover from inflammation in his right Achilles. It was his first time taking part in baseball activities since March 9. Manager John Farrell said the team will wait to see how Ortiz feels on Wednesday before planning his next course of action.
David Ortiz targeting May
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) While the Red Sox retain hope that designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) can jump back into action in mid-April, a return date of May 1 appears more realistic, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. Ortiz has been slowed greatly by a lingering foot issue that has not allowed him to swing a bat in the past eight days. The veteran slugger said last week he still experiences discomfort in his heels when he runs.
David Ortiz unable to take batting practice
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013)David Ortiz was scheduled to take his first batting practice of the spring Monday but his lingering Achilles injury will keep him off the field, Jayson Stark of ESPN reports. Red Sox manager John Farrell said Ortiz isn't "ready to begin the next phase."
Ortiz was diagnosed with inflammation in both heels on March 10, and he was expected to miss just 5-7 days with the initial injury. The slugger has remained hopeful throughout the process that he would be ready on or close to opening day. However, the injury has lingered beyond the initial prognosis and his opening day status may be in jeopardy now.
David Ortiz wakes up uncomfortable
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013)David Ortiz continues to feel discomfort when running on the underwater treadmill, as reported by the Boston Globe Sunday.
The Red Sox slugger, who has been dealing with an Achilles injury, said Saturday he was feeling better but woke up Sunday with another story.
Big Papi was not sure he'd be able to take batting practice on Monday, and now it seems that is definitely out of the question. He remains hopeful of being ready for opening day, but with every issue that arises that hope fades.
David Ortiz seeing slight improvement
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) The Boston Herald reported Saturday that Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who is dealing with an Achilles injury, is feeling "a little bit" better after he ran on the underwater treadmill.
Ortiz is unsure whether he'll be able to hit on Monday. He expects to play that by ear. Ortiz is hopeful to be ready for opening day, but the discomfort in his heel when he runs must first go away. The veteran was limited to just 90 games last year because of a right Achilles injury but this issue is not related to that one.
David Ortiz to test heel injury in BP
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/15/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) is scheduled to take batting practice Monday, which will be his first action since being shut down earlier this week with soreness in both heels, the Boston Herald reports.
Ortiz remains hopeful to be ready for opening day, but he said continues to experience discomfort in his heels primarily when he runs. The veteran slugger was limited to only 90 games last season because of a right Achilles injury. However, Red Sox manager John Farrell said the current issue is unrelated to that injury.
Ortiz resigned to miss opener
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/11/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz spoke with reporters Monday about his lingering Achilles problem. Ortiz is expected to be shut down for at least a week after an MRI revealed inflammation in both heels. "I knew something wasn't right," he said, per CSNNE.com. "It's not anything crazy, thank God. But it's going to take a couple of weeks to get fixed.'' Ortiz is resigned to the fact that it's unlikely he will be ready by opening day. "Opening day was my goal," Ortiz said. "Right now, opening day seems like it's not the case."
Red Sox shut down Ortiz
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/10/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has been diagnosed with inflammation in both heels after going for an MRI. Manager John Farrell said Ortiz is expected to be shut down for at least 5-7 days. Farrell said Ortiz is hurting more in his left heel than his right, and his chances of being available for opening day appear slim, according to the Boston Globe. Ortiz was limited to 90 games last season after injuring his right Achilles, but the current injury is unrelated to that issue. "It's separate from any kind of previous issues that he dealt with," Farrell said. "It's in the bone/tendon juncture where he's feeling the inflammation and the MRI shows it in that specific area."
'Frustrated' Ortiz heading for MRI
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/9/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) is scheduled to have an MRI on both of his heels Saturday as a precautionary measure, the Boston Globe reports. Manager John Farrell said Ortiz has experienced some soreness in the area and the team is using the exam to rule out any larger issues. "He’s been able to run the bases -- as we know -- on the day that he has," Farrell told WEEI.com. "He’s been taking [batting practice] every single day. There’s progress, yet, maybe not as fast as he might have anticipated or hoped."
Ortiz still dealing with soreness
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/7/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was able to take part in running exercises Thursday without re-injuring his right Achilles tendon, however he told reporters he was still not ready to play. Ortiz told WEEI.com that he is still dealing with plenty of soreness, and said he would not be able to play if opening day was near. “Like I am right now? I don’t think I can play like that,” he said. “If it gets better and it doesn’t bother me that much, yes, I’ll probably be able to deal with it.” He admitted that he might be forcing himself to play before his is physically ready, in order to be available for opening day. “I have to get out of my mind the rushing (trying to be ready for opening day) thing, because that just gets me worse. I have to stick with the plan and try not get it worse.”
Ortiz does some more drills
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/5/2013) Boston designated hitter David Ortiz continues to make progress with his injured Achilles and went through some base-running drills on Tuesday for the second consecutive day, reports ESPN. That said, manager John Farrell pointed out that the drills were less volume and less intense than Monday's session. “The concern following those intense base-running sessions is less today than it was three days ago, so he’s making steady progress,” Farrell said. “Once he comes out of today, we’ll determine what the next steps are. We’re only on Tuesday of this week. We’re going to work off David’s response to the work sessions. But the fact he’s able to get back on the base paths today and feel pretty good about himself before going into it is a positive sign.”
Ortiz keeps opening day in plans
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/4/2013) After successfully running the bases at full speed Monday, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) said he feels more encouraged that he will be available for the regular-season opener. Ortiz has yet to appear in a spring game as he continues to rehab his troublesome right Achilles. "It feels good," he told the Boston Globe. "When I get going I’m fine. The problem is once I cool off, I start to get sore, but the doctor says it will go away. It’s just part of the treatment, part of [when you] start doing things. ... I was moving pretty good. I don’t think I can run faster than that."
Big Papi holding big concerns
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/3/2013) Red Sox manager John Farrell told ESPN.com on Sunday that designated hitter David Ortiz has expressed some concern about being ready for the start of the regular season because of lingering problems with his right Achilles that limited him to just 90 games last year. Ortiz, who played in just one game the rest of the season after straining his Achilles tendon in mid-July, said he is still dealing with some soreness. "Every time you bend that tendon you feel it, and I’m a big boy, you know what I’m saying?" he said. "It puts more stress. We’re trying. We’re trying. I want to be ready, but injuries are injuries. You want to be back the next day, but it doesn’t work that way."
Ortiz rejoins Red Sox
(3/1/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz rejoined the club on Friday after spending the last few days in the Dominican Republic due to a personal matter. Ortiz has yet to play in a Grapefruit League game thus far due to an Achilles injury but is expected to be ready for opening day. The Boston Herald reports Ortiz will likely begin playing in spring games towards the end of next week.
Ortiz away for personal reasons
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/27/2013) Boston designated hitter David Ortiz will be away from spring training camp for the next few days, reports MLB.com Wednesday. Ortiz is tending to a personal issue in the Dominican Republic, according to manager John Farrell. It is believed that Ortiz will rejoin the team "no later than Friday." Ortiz is getting closer to running the bases as he's coming off a serious injury to his right Achilles. He will be ready for opening day.
Improving Ortiz shows optimism
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/22/2013) Despite being restricted to agility drills during the early part of spring training, Boston designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) said Friday he is hopeful to be ready for opening day. Ortiz, who played in just five games after the All-Star break last year because of a troublesome Achilles injury, has participated in hitting drills but is being held back from running the bases. "I’m excited," Ortiz told ESPN.com. "Going from what I was to what I am right now, this offseason I kind of struggled at the beginning, with all the treatment and stuff, I was having a hard time even walking. ... Everything they told me it was going to be like, it’s like they saw it before. Yeah, we’re good."
Ortiz stuck on agility drills
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/21/2013) Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thursday DH David Ortiz isn't ready to begin playing in spring games. Ortiz has been taking part in defensive drills at first base, but the team is taking a cautious approach as he makes his way back from an Achillies injury that limited him to 90 games last season. “David will maintain the agility program that he’s on, and that continues to increase in intensity,” Farrell said, per WEEI.com. Farrell said he has no timetable for when Ortiz will get into a spring game. “I would hope it would not be too far behind but the one thing we don’t want to do is just earmark a date and then all of sudden feel there’s a letdown. We’re not at that point yet," he said.
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/15/2013) Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz did some running and agility drills on Friday and "seemed to be moving well," according to the Boston Globe. Ortiz is returning from a July Achilles injury that cut his 2012 campaign short, with the Red Sox shutting him down in late August.
Ortiz: 'I'm about 90 percent'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/12/2013) Red Sox DH David Ortiz (Achilles) arrived to camp Tuesday. WEEI reports Ortiz arrived to camp in good shape and showing no ill-effects from his right Achilles injury. “I’m at about 90 percent,” said Ortiz, who noted he is about at the same weight he played last year but feels much stronger this year. Ortiz hopes to be ready for the start of spring training games, but general manager Ben Cherington and manager John Farrell said last week Ortiz will be eased into baseball activities and might miss the first few spring games, according to the Boston Herald.
Ortiz to be ready for opener
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/4/2013) MLB.com reports Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington expects DH David Ortiz (Achilles) to be ready for opening day after meeting with the veteran slugger in the Dominican Republic last week. However, Cherington wasn't sure what Ortiz's status would be at the beginning of spring training. "He's hitting and doing his agility and starting to run," Cherington said Monday in an interview with MLB Network Radio. "He's David Ortiz. We'll see where he is as we report 10 days from now or so and take it from there. We don't have any reason to think he won't be in our lineup on opening day."
Ortiz's recovery going well
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (1/22/2013) The Boston Globe reports Red Sox manager John Farrell said designated hitter David Ortiz (Achilles) is on track to participate fully in spring training. Ortiz indicated in December he wasn't 100 percent and he was hoping to be ready for spring training.
