April 18, 2013 at 11:33 PM
Jackie Bradley Jr. optioned to Pawtucket as Ortiz' rehab ends
The writing was on the wall all day, and following the Red Sox’ 6-3 win over the Cleveland Indians Thursday night, outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, according to CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam. David Ortiz, who wrapped up his rehab assignment Thursday afternoon, will take his spot on Boston's roster.
It's the end of Bradley’s first major league stint, which for the most part was unsuccessful. The 22-year-old made a big enough splash in spring training to earn a spot on the 25-man roster, which in February seemed like a long shot.
But once in the majors, Bradley hit only .097 with a .263 on-base percentage and .129 slugging percentage. He managed six walks, but had four times as many strikeouts (12) as he did hits (3). He hadn't started a game since Monday.
Ortiz, meanwhile, is slated to make his 2013 major league debut Friday — the team's first home game since the Boston Marathon bombing — after a five-game rehab stint with the PawSox. He hit just .222 (4 for 18) and struck out six times while not drawing a walk. His lone extra base hit came Thursday, a solo homer to right.
Photo Credit: Jackie Bradley Jr. by Kelly O'Connor