• Preview
• Bleachers

Ortiz out as Red Sox set to face Rays

Jun 3, 2008 - 12:48 PM Tampa Bay (35-22) at Boston (35-25) 7:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Red Sox will return home on Tuesday and host the Tampa Bay Rays without the services of All-Star slugger David Ortiz.

The 32-year-old Ortiz, who has finished in the top five in the American League MVP voting in each of the past five seasons was placed on the disabled list after an MRI revealed a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist.

Ortiz suffered the injury while swinging Saturday night and said after the game that he had heard a "pop" during the swing. According to numerous reports, Ortiz will have the wrist immobilized for at least a few weeks before engaging in any baseball activities.

Should the injury not respond to rest, surgery is a possibility.

But the good news for the Red Sox is that they are returning to Fenway Park, where they own a major league-best 21-5 home record. Just 14-20 on the road, Boston completed a a 10-game road trip with a 6-3 loss at Baltimore on Monday - surrendering a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning.

While the Red Sox were busy going 4-6 on their trip, the Rays took eight out of 10 at Tropicana Field to leap into first place in the AL East.

Rookie Justin Masterson (1-0, 1.46 ERA) will try to get Boston back on track Tuesday. The 23-year-old righthander will be summoned from Class AAA Pawtucket prior to the game to make his third major league start in place of the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Masterson has been fantastic in each of his first two starts, allowing a total of two runs and five hits in 12 1/3 innings. He earned his first win May 20 against Kansas City, allowing one run and three hits in six frames.

Tampa Bay will counter with righthander Matt Garza (4-1, 3.78). The 24-year-old has been strong of late, winning each of his past two starts. He held the Rangers to two runs and for hits while striking out 10 on Wednesday.

Garza took a no decision against the Red Sox on April 25, allowing three runs and five hits.