Ortiz not in starting lineup for home finale against Yanks
BOSTON (AP) Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is not in the starting lineup for Sunday night's series finale against the New York Yankees, resting after running a lot the last few games.
The 40-year-old Ortiz, who announced in November that it would be his final season, is 5 for 10 with a homer and five RBIs in the first three games against the Yankees - all wins by AL East-leading Boston.
Manager John Farrell thought it was the right day to give him a break.
''When I talked David after Friday night's game - larger part because of the number of times he was on base and the extent to which he ran, a quick turnaround on Saturday - we talked about the upcoming two days - yesterday and today,'' Farrell said. ''With the late arrival, likely 4 a.m., this was the day to give him down.''
Boston opens a 10-game road trip on Monday night, with the first of four against second place Baltimore.
Ortiz is hitting .318 with 34 homers and 116 RBIs. He leads the majors with 47 doubles.