With rumors flying around Fenway Park that Manny Ramirez was facing a suspension if he didn’t get back into the lineup, the enigmatic outfielder was back in left field and in his customary cleanup spot for today’s nationally-televised game against the Yankees.
Some reports had the Red Sox telling Ramirez yesterday afternoon that if the MRI on his allegedly ailing knees came back negative, he would face disciplinary action for refusing to play in what turned out to be a 1-0 loss.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona said earlier today that he wasn’t comfortable talking about disciplinary actions contemplated or taken by the team, suggesting that some punishment was at least under consideration.
Ramirez had missed two games with what he claimed were sore knees.
The starting lineups for today’s game:
Yankees
Johnny Damon, dh
Derek Jeter, ss
Bobby Abreu, rf
Alex Rodriguez, 3b
Jason Giambi, 1b
Robinson Cano, 2b
Xavier Nady, lf
Melky Cabrera, cf
Jose Molina, c
Andy Pettitte, lhp
Red Sox
Dustin Pedroia, 2b
Kevin Youkilis, 1b
David Ortiz, dh
Manny Ramirez, lf
Mike Lowell, 3b
J.D. Drew, rf
Jed Lowrie, ss
Coco Crisp, cf
Kevin Cash, c
Tim Wakefield, rhp
The Yankees rushed Xavier Nady, whom they acquired in a trade with the Pirates last night, right into the lineup in left field. Nady was hitting .330 with 13 homers and 57 RBI in 89 games for the Pirates. He was riding a 13-game hitting streak at the time of the trade.
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