Jackie Bradley Jr. lost his spring training competition with Grady Sizemore for Boston’s centerfielder job, but it turns out he’ll still find himself on the Opening Day roster. Bradley takes the place of Shane Victorino, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list just before today’s opener against Baltimore.
Victorino, who played in just 122 games for the Red Sox last season, strained his hamstring Saturday in Boston’s last exhibition game — one of just nine spring games in which he made an appearance. Victorino had issues with his hamstring last season, too, as well as back and groin problems. When he was on the field, though, he surprised with a .294/.351/.451 line, posting an OPS nearly 100 points higher than the one he had in 2012.
While Bradley takes Victorino’s spot on the 25-man roster, he won’t take his spot in the Opening Day lineup. Daniel Nava will start in right field, joining Mike Carp and Sizemore. The 31-year-old Nava hit .303/.385/.445 in 134 games for the Red Sox last year. Bradley struggled in his first stint in Boston, hitting just .189/.280/.337 last season, and got off to a slow start once again this spring, leading to Sizemore winning his spot.
Victorino is still owed $26 million over the next two seasons.
