Contreras (illness) sits for 2nd straight game, hopes to return Saturday
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BOSTON – After leaving Wednesday’s game because of illness, Red Sox All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras was out of the starting lineup for the second straight night in Friday's series opener against the A's at Fenway Park.
Contreras, who had exited Wednesday's game with dizziness and high temperature, felt well enough to be back at the ballpark Friday and re-initiate with baseball activities. Interim manager Chad Tracy said Contreras is hopeful to return Saturday.
“Still feeling sick,” Tracy said Thursday. “Under the weather, improving a bit. Just resting.”
“The fever is not real high,” Tracy added. “Just some symptoms that started popping up [Wednesday night], you could see it getting worse.”
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It takes a lot to get Contreras off the field. He had collected an RBI single and made a nice play to cut down a runner at home before exiting Wednesday's contest.
Nick Sogard, who moved from second to first base to replace Contreras in the field in the fifth inning on Wednesday, led off and played first base on both Thursday and Friday.
Contreras is having a career year. In 105 games, he has a batting line of .288/.395/.540 with 23 homers and 70 RBIs.