Red Sox: Mookie Betts, Eduardo Nunez, Dustin Pedroia out of lineup

The Boston Red Sox will be without three key regulars in their lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Boston Red Sox are a bit banged up heading into the final week of the regular season, forcing several staples of the lineup out of Tuesday night’s game.

Mookie Betts left last night’s game with soreness in his left wrist. He was seen clutching his arm in obvious discomfort after a base hit in the fifth inning. While he initially stayed in the game, Betts was replaced for a pinch-hitter the next time his spot in the lineup was due up. Andrew Benintendi took his place, belting a solo home run in the eighth inning.

Betts admitted after the game that he first experienced pain in his wrist a few days ago. Monday night was the first time he showed any sign of the injury affecting him, so something may have happened during his swing to cause the pain to flare up.

“I just took a swing and felt it,” Betts told reporters, per MassLive.com. “It’s just  been kind of painful for swings, but that’s just the part of the season.”More from Red Sox NewsRed Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports GroupBizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departureRed Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contractRich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB recordRed Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure

While Betts seems to be downplaying the injury, it remains a cause for concern this deep into the season. Boston needs their star outfielder ready to go for the postseason.

The outlook for Eduardo Nunez is less promising. The versatile infielder returned after missing 13 games with a sprained knee, only to be knocked out again when he aggravated the injury during his second plate appearance. Nunez somehow convinced managed John Farrell to let him stay in the game for the remainder of his at-bat but after watching him limp down the first base line it was clear he needed to be taken out of the game.

“My foot got stuck at home plate and we didn’t expect that,” Nunez told reporters, per WEEI.com. “We didn’t expect it was going to be that tough, so we’re going to sit down for a few more days. We’re going to keep working, do my treatment and hopefully in the series with Houston try again.”

Nunez had been optimistic about the status of his knee, which initially the team feared may keep him out the rest of the season. He returned ahead of schedule but that decision may ultimately cost him more time.

The Red Sox will also be without Dustin Pedroia for the third time in the last four games. The team is being understandably cautious with the veteran second baseman as he works his way back from knee issues that have plagued him all season. Routine maintenance days off were expected but Pedroia’s absence tonight comes as a surprise, leaving us to wonder how his knee is holding up.

Chris Young will take over in right field for Betts, while Deven Marrero fills in at second base for Pedroia. Nunez served as the DH last night but that role will be passed back to Hanley Ramirez. Sam Travis replaces Mitch Moreland at first base with a lefty on the mound.

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Missing three of the team’s top hitters at this stage of the season is far from ideal. Boston shouldn’t expect to need an offensive explosion from their lineup with Chris Sale on the hill tonight but they will need those key positions players back when the postseason arrives.