Projo Sports Blog

By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA -- Opting to err on the side of caution, manager Terry Francona elected not to put Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game.

Factoring into his decision was the Sox' regularly scheduled day off on Thursday, which in essence provides two days off for them.

Ramirez has been battling a hamstring problem that is low on his right leg, behind his knee. He aggravated the problem when he took a mighty cut and missed a pitch in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's game.

Francona asked him after the at-bat -- Ramirez flied to left -- how he was and Ramirez said he felt the hamstring tighten up. So Francona took Ramirez out of the game, replacing him in left field with Jacoby Ellsbury even though there was the possibility Ramirez might have gotten another at-bat in the game.

The Sox will be going home after Wednesday's game and will open a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ramirez likely will be back in the lineup, as the designated hitter.

Youkilis, meanwhile, is out for the third straight game because of a sore back. He felt spasms in the back Monday, and has been getting better, but Francona, using "common sense," is keeping him out of the lineup again Wednesday and expects him to be ready to play Friday, as well.

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