David Ortiz - benched or time off?

Jim Monaghan
Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of Getty Images
David Ortiz is out of the lineup for "a couple of days" according to Red Sox manager John Farrell starting with tonight's game against the Texas Rangers.

Speaking on WEEI's "Dale & Holley Show" Farrell acknowledged that everyone is frustrated by the problems the team has experienced so far in 2015 and he thinks that a couple of days off for Ortiz will give him some time to get things figured out at the plate. Hanley Ramirez will DH tonight in Texas.

GM Ben Cherington had actually broken the news earlier in the day in an interview on MLB Network Radio.

Ortiz is deep into the throes of a 1-for-20 slump. He's hit just six home runs in 2015 and his average has dropped to below .220.  Earlier in the week he had been moved to the fifth spot in the lineup.

Earlier in the day, the team announced that Daniel Nava has been placed on the 15-day DL with a so-far unrevealed injury. LHP Robbie Ross was recalled from AAA Pawtucket to take Nava's place on the roster.

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