Victorino Heads To Hospital After Crashing Into RF Wall
BOSTON (CBS) - Boston Red Sox players really need to watch where they're going when patrolling Fenway Park.
During Sunday's 12-4 loss to the Blue Jays, Boston right fielder Shane Victorino was taken to the hospital to have his ribs examined on following a hard crash into the right field wall.
Victorino gave chase to a fourth inning Emilio Bonifacio home run, keeping his eyes on the ball, but ran out of room and right into the short fence in front of the Toronto bullpen. He fell to the ground in obvious pain, but remained in the game for two more innings before leaving for the hospital.
"The way Shane hit the wall, he started to stiffen up as the game went on," Red Sox manager John Farrell said after the loss. "Given what he's been dealing with, low back-wise, we weren't going to take any chances further today."
A back issue plagued Victorino in late April, causing him to miss seven games. He returned on a full-time basis on May 3 and has been on a bit of a tear, batting .393 with six runs scored and two home runs in the last seven days.
Farrell sounded optimistic that Victorino would be good to go when Boston opens a three-game series (and nine-game road trip) in Tampa on Tuesday.
"Everything to points to him being ready for Tuesday," Farrell said.
Earlier this week, Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks and catcher David Ross collided with each other while giving chase to a foul ball. Middlebrooks missed a game with sore ribs after crashing into the wall in foul territory. Ross only missed one game as well, but was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list on Sunday after suffering a head injury in Saturday's loss.
