Scuffling Bradley gets break from starting lineup

BOSTON -- After a nice hot streak earlier in the month, Jackie Bradley Jr. has struggled at the plate over the past nine days, going 3-for-30 entering play Sunday.

He was out of the lineup for Sunday's game against O's right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, but manager John Farrell said that the center fielder will be back in there for Monday morning's Patriots' Day game.

Despite the numbers, Farrell sees progress in Bradley's approach from last season.

"Overall, yes," said Farrell. "Again, more of a known commodity of what pitchers are trying to do to attack him. I think he's just become more familiar with the Major League environment."

Bradley had 18 strikeouts in 50 at-bats entering play Sunday.

"Even he acknowledges the frequency of strikeouts have been greater than what he's experienced at the Minor League level," Farrell said. "He's also facing very good pitching every night he walks on the field. It's a different challenge at this level. Along the way with young players, there's going to be some ebb and flow to the performance, and we have to remain patient to that."