Jackie Bradley Jr. entered spring training atop the Red Sox’s center field depth chart, but his struggles and Grady Sizemore’s successful comeback changed those plans. Sizemore was announced today as the Opening Day center fielder and Boston has decided to send Bradley back to Triple-A.
There was some opportunity for the Red Sox to have kept Sizemore and Bradley on the roster, but it makes more sense for Bradley to play every day in the minors and be ready in case Sizemore struggles or has more bad luck with injuries.
Bradley opened last season in the majors, but hit just .189 with 31 strikeouts in 37 games and spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he batted .275 with 10 homers and an .842 OPS in 80 games. Odds are he’ll see extended action for the Red Sox this season, but it may have to wait a couple months.
