Batting knee soreness that has contributed to his horrible slump, Red Sox outfielder Tyler O’Neill is getting the day off for Sunday’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.
O’Neill is considered day-to-day, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora said pregame that he’ll likely sit Monday in Baltimore as well before hopefully returning to the lineup on Tuesday. Cora added they’re optimistic O’Neill won’t require a stint on the injured list.
After starting the season as one of Boston’s best hitters, O’Neill has seen his fortunes turn recently. The outfielder is batting .151 with a 43.9% strikeout rate since the start of May and over his last four games he’s gone 0 for 15 with 10 strikeouts.
Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu will start from left to right in the outfield in his place, with Garrett Cooper serving as designated hitter and David Hamilton starting at shortstop.
Tanner Houck will take the hill as the Red Sox look to avoid a three-game sweep. The right-hander has been Boston’s best starter so far, ranking among the American League’s leaders in ERA (1.94), innings pitched (65), wins above replacement for pitchers (2.3) and walks and hits per inning pitched (0.954). He’ll face off against Milwaukee’s Tobias Myers (1-2, 5.00).
Red Sox lineup
Jarren Duran LF
Wilyer Abreu RF
Garrett Cooper DH
Rafael Devers 3B
Dominic Smith 1B
Reese McGuire C
Vaughn Grissom 2B
David Hamilton SS
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Tanner Houck P
How to watch
When: 1:35 p.m.
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
Broadcast info: NESN, MLB Network (out-of-market), WEEI 93.7 FM, WCCM 1490 AM (Spanish)
