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John Farrell on prospects of David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley Jr. making Opening Day roster 03.09.13 at 4:26 pm ET
By Alex Speier

David Ortiz underwent MRIs on both heels on Saturday (AP)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox sent designated hitter David Ortiz for MRIs on both heels based on the ongoing discomfort he’s feeling in both areas. Manager John Farrell suggested that, despite the fact that he continues to experience pain in those regions — resulting in what he characterized as precautionary MRIs — the 37-year-old continues to make progress in his return from the injured right Achilles that ended his 2012 season.

“Just to rule everything out, he’s undergone that imaging here today. I think the one thing that we still hold in all this is that while the timing might not be what was maybe initially expected, the bigger picture is he’s still making progress,” said Farrell. “He’s been able to run the bases — as we know — on the day that he has. He’s been taking [batting practice] every single day. There’s progress, yet, maybe not as fast as he might have anticipated or hoped.”

Farrell continued to say that there’s no defined timetable that Ortiz must follow in order to return by Opening Day. Still, he acknowledged that there are certain realities of the calendar as April 1 draws nearer.Even so, he suggested that the importance of having Ortiz ready for April 1 pales in comparison to the bigger picture question of his availability for the lion’s share of the season’s 162 games.

“We’ll see how this week goes. We don’t have a date earmarked,” said Farrell. “Our goal is to have David in our lineup for the greatest number of games that we can throughout the course of the year. It’s not like April 1st is a drop-dead date for an entire season. we’re not going to rush to any decision where we’re saying, you know what, opening day is out. … He’s frustrated. I think he expected this to be moving along a at a little bit more of a rapid pace. But we support him and we’re going to do whatever we can to get him on the field for the greatest number of at-bats this year.”

If Ortiz is on the disabled list to start the year, Farrell was asked whether that might create an opening for Jackie Bradley Jr. on the Opening Day roster. While he suggested that such a conversation might take place, he reiterated that the impressive outfielder is expected to start the year in the minors. (One team source said flatly that Bradley will not open the year in the big leagues, even if Ortiz starts the year on the DL — while adding that he could become a big league consideration at a very early stage in 2013.)

“That discussion is yet to be had. Regardless of who would fill out the 25-man roster, you know what, I can’t sit here today and say that’s not an option that wouldn’t be discussed,” Farrell said of the possibility of having Bradley on the big league roster on April 1. “Keep in mind that we fully expect Jackie to begin the season in the minor leagues. So we’ll see – we’ll work through the combinations that exist here in camp and, again, we haven’t ruled out David either.”

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  • AFAF

    Frankly, if he’s not ready after seven months, what’s three weeks going to accomplish?

  • Mole

    i am sick of this guy.   what in the heck were they thinking when they signed this drama queen?

  • scratching my head

    Call Manny.

  • Chappy

    Geez – what procedure would he have to undergo if he’d been asked to run, say 240 yds – a frontal lobotomy?????

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Its good that he is having an MRI.If there is confirmation that it is ok to go it will help Ortiz mentally.As far as his not seemiing to improve is because he could’nt do much in the off season.This is not surprising at all.We are really good at kicking people while they are down in this so called great baseball town.The fact of the matter is that we don’t know a lot about the game contrary to what other fans think we know.If it turns out that he’s ok and he hits 30 and knocks in 100 we’ll be kissing his behind.Say what you will about him now,but he was one of the very best Boston has ever seen in a Red Sox uniform.He has the majority of fans in his corner thats why they don’t come on the site and listen to the garbage spewed out.If i were Ortiz i would take Boston for all i could get.He knows what kind of fans many of us are.

  • Billy OBrien

    This will be a waste of 2 years. It’s already starting before the season begins. Should have let this guy walk. He is on borrowed time. 

  • Billy OBrien

    Come back on this site in July when he hasn’t taken an at bat yet.

  • scott

    Red Sox nation you still want this guy. What a waste of money. Not they never threw money away before

  • Logic

    Sure Ortiz was a major part of two world series championship teams that we would of gladly given our first born to witness just one, but what has he done for us lately?

  • fromtheshire

    Dude, put a space after a period. It makes it hard to read. At least for me. I like your point about how fans are so ruthless to our players. It comes across as frustrated and lame fans. We have nothing to be frustrated about. We are title town. Our teams compete year after year except for the Red Sox stumble. But they will return!!

  • Rs

    I hate to think this but I would bet David knew he wasn’t healthy. Before the contract he said he was but now he needs an MRI. Thanks for all you’ve done in the past but now you are just an old player who has lost his value to the team.

  • Uncle Buck

    I made a similar point about Ortiz earlier.  If he gets healthy and produces a good year, everyone will love him again.  As long as he is hurt and not producing, the haters will hate. He is doing what any other professional athlete would do.  He now has a lot to prove to get the much coveted respect back. I don’t understand the shortsightedness of so many fans with the benefit of hindsight, declaring themselves as self proclaimed experts.  Anybody can look back and say I told you so.  The people getting paid are the one’s who can look ahead and predict probable outcomes, and sometimes they end up wrong. I hope Ortiz gets healthy and rakes, if for no other reason than to shut up the critics.

  • EasthamMass

    Ortiz will never be right.  Why didn’t Sox management before mortgaging the farm consult with several orthopedic surgeons which all would have told them the same thing.  Someone his age, size and achilles injury will never regain a level required for MLB.

  • Cwm7128

    How can anyone say that he knew he wasn’t healthy when he signed a contract? Didn’t we just witness what goes into a contract signing with Napoli? So many fans are stupid . Of course they Sox knew he was hurt . Of course Ortiz wants to play . They signed him for the value he has on and off the field . He sells tickets. Along with Pedroia he is the face of the franchise. 

  • Joesph44

    why blame the player  red sox need him to sell more bricks  :-)

  • Molly

    They should of parted ways with this guy but prob were afraid he would sign with the Evil Empire and afraid tickets sales would sag. Bring the kids up. Come on bumbling Ben. Bradley is ready

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