Hanley fouls ball off left knee; X-rays negative
Diagnosed with contusion, Boston slugger 'little sore'
BALTIMORE -- Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez exited Tuesday night's 1-0 loss after fouling a ball off his left knee in the third inning against Baltimore right-hander Miguel Gonzalez. Ramirez was diagnosed with a contusion, and his status for Wednesday's game is uncertain.
"X-rays were negative," Boston manager John Farrell said. "He's got a contusion on the inside of that left knee. He's a little sore, but nothing structurally."
Ramirez fell to the ground in pain on the 2-2 pitch, but was able to finish the at-bat after being helped by trainers. He eventually earned a walk.
However, Ramirez was replaced that inning by Rusney Castillo, with Brock Holt moving from right field to left field.
The Red Sox are in a stretch of 13 straight games, so Farrell could possibly give Ramirez Wednesday night off to rest the knee.
His presence in the lineup would be sorely missed. He has been one of Boston's hottest hitters over the past month. Entering Tuesday, Hanley had eight hits in his past 17 at-bats, including a double and homer.