DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: AL East—The fallout from Ortiz' return

Boston Red Sox

After a harrowing, emotional week, the Red Sox welcomed back their spiritual leader, David Ortiz (DH, BOS) on April 20. There are signs that Ortiz’s Achilles is not completely healed—he missed a rehab game with a sore left heel—but he and the team believe they can manage the pain and keep him in the lineup.

Ortiz is a risky proposition, given that the injury could flare up at any time, but the potential reward is great as well, if he can even approach the pace he was on in 2012’s first half.

As expected and mentioned in Playing Time Today, Jackie Bradley (OF, BOS) has been sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket, leaving left field to what should more or less be a straight platoon between Daniel Nava (OF, BOS) and Jonny Gomes...

Almost!

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