Boston Red Sox left-hander Drew Pomeranz will start Friday night for the Portland Sea Dogs in their home opener at Hadlock Field as part of his injury rehab.
The Red Sox made the announcement Monday, at the same time the team announced that Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts is going on the disabled list with a cracked bone in his left ankle.
Bogaerts hurt his ankle Sunday while chasing an errant throw, ending up sliding into the Tampa Bay Rays’ dugout.
According to the Red Sox, an X-ray revealed a “small crack in the talus bone” in Bogaerts’ ankle that won’t require surgery. He’s expected to miss 10 to 14 days.
To replace Bogaerts, Boston called up utility infielder Tzu-Wei Lin from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Pomeranz was in Pawtucket on Sunday, making his first rehab start while recovering from a strained forearm suffered in spring training.
Pomeranz, 29, wasn’t sharp, walking six over 41/3 innings and allowing two hits, including a home run.
Pomeranz missed the start of last season, also with a forearm strain. He returned to post a 17-6 record.
The addition of Pomeranz adds to the festivities for the 6 p.m. outing against the Binghamton Rumble Pones. The game now will feature one major leaguer and one former NFL quarterback – Tim Tebow.
Tebow, on a minor league contract with the Mets, is in his second year. In the season opener last Thursday, he hit a three-run homer off Portland starter Teddy Stankiewicz in the first inning.
Tebow was 1 for 7, going into Binghamton’s game at home Monday night against Akron.
According to the Sea Dogs, about 700 tickets remain for Friday’s game. The team has promoted this weekend heavily as part of its 25th anniversary.
Also during the homestand, former manager Carlos Tosca and former slugger Brandon Moss will throw out first pitches on April 18.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox prepare for their first series with the New York Yankees starting Tuesday night at Fenway Park. They will have to do it without Bogaerts, who has been one of Boston’s hottest hitters, batting .368 with two home runs and nine RBI.
Lin, 24, had a breakout season last year, batting .302 in Portland and getting called up June 24 to Boston.
Originally considered mainly a pinch runner, Lin got hot, batting .360 over his first 10 games. He eventually batted .268 over 25 games while playing three infield positions.
Without Bogaerts in the lineup, Rafael Devers is expected to move up and bat fifth. He’s batting .323 with one home run and four doubles, and is tied with Bogaerts with nine RBI.
CORRECTION: This story was updated at 11:15 a.m. on April 10 to correct the date that Carlos Tosca and Brandon Moss will throw out first pitches at Hadlock Field.
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