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Jackie Bradley Jr listed as day-to-day

By Daniel Cassese

Apr 8, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) and the trainer check on center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) after he fell rounding first during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) and the trainer check on center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) after he fell rounding first during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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After injuring his knee in Saturday’s game, Boston Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr was held out of Sunday’s lineup to undergo an MRI.

Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr sent the fanbase into a state of frenzy when he hyper-extended his right knee rounding first base in the ninth inning of Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The play itself was nothing more than a freak accident, as his cleat caught in the dirt and caused him to trip up. It was somewhat similar to this play that dislocated former Red Sox and then Diamondbacks outfielder Cody Ross‘ hip in 2013. When Bradley lost his footing, the pressure he exerted on his plant leg caused his right knee to buckle. Visually, it didn’t bode well for him.

He was able to walk off the field under his own power and a postgame analysis didn’t reveal any structural damage, but swelling in the joint prior to today’s game forced the Red Sox to give him an MRI and keep him out of the lineup. Steve Selsky started in center field in his place.

Prior to today’s game, Bradley was one of five other players to have appeared in each of the Red Sox’ first four games of the season. The team is in the midst of a flu epidemic and haven’t had a complete lineup since Opening Day. Thus far, Bradley’s hitting .286/.353/.429 with a triple and two RBIs. More importantly, he’s been credited with four defensive runs saved and has made at least one highlight reel catch in each of his games, including these gems on Saturday.

After reading the MRI, team orthopedist, Dr. Peter Asnis, told the team that a stint on the 10-day DL wouldn’t be warranted. With the return of reliever Matt Barnes, moving Bradley to the DL might have been a necessary move to preserve the 25-man roster. Given his positive diagnosis, the team decided to option reliever Noe Ramirez instead.

Bradley would have been the latest in a long-line of subtractions to the Red Sox’ major league roster just five games into the regular season. Hanley Ramirez (flu), didn’t travel to Detroit. Robbie Ross Jr. (flu) was placed on the 10-day DL but has rejoined the team and is at least healthy enough to begin throwing. Joe Kelly was lucky enough to avoid the DL, though he is still too sick to be with the team. Mookie Betts (flu) missed the previous two games but was healthy enough to play today. Meanwhile, shortstop Xander Bogaerts rejoined the team after spending time on the bereavement list and is expected to start on Monday.

Next: Travelling in the American League East

According to Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald, Bradley remains unconcerned about the severity of his injury and was even chasing outfielder Chris Young around the clubhouse before today’s game. At this point, it’s just a matter of time until we see him patrolling center field again.

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