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Papi scratched from lineup to rest sore right calf

BOSTON -- Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was scratched from Thursday's game against the Braves with right calf soreness.

"It is precautionary. We've taken him out of the lineup," manager John Farrell said. "[It is] similar to what we talked about when we were down in [St. Petersburg]. Precautionary in nature, we just have to manage the condition and the situation he's dealing with."

Ortiz pinch-hit in the eighth inning of the Red Sox's 4-3 walk-off victory, but Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez elected to intentionally walk the slugger, who was then lifted for a pinch-runner.

Ortiz had the same injury at the end of Spring Training and sat out the final five games of the Grapefruit League schedule.

Ortiz's workload over the past few games has been more than normal. He started both games at first base against the Braves and legged out a single in Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

"You're dealing with a lower extremity. I just think coming off the volume, David's been great in terms of the preventative maintenance and the care that he's got to go through," Farrell said. "And yet, after two full days at first base and another at DH last night, it was best to hold him out tonight."

A.J. Pierzynski, who originally had the night off, went 2-for-4 serving as Boston's DH.

Farrell expects Ortiz to start Friday's game against the Rays.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. Quinn Roberts is a reporter for MLB.com
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