NEW YORK — Austin Jackson was out of the lineup a second straight day and is expected to miss the series finale Wednesday against the New York Mets as well.
Jackson, who came out of Sunday’s 8-7 loss in Kansas City with what the Sox are calling turf toe in his right foot, might play Friday when the Sox open a three-game series against the host Detroit Tigers, Jackson’s former team.
He’s not going to be out here today. It’s still day to day stuff. I’m really hoping to get him to the off day and have him back by the weekend. It doesn’t look DL worthy. I know today would be tough one to have him in there.
“It’s something like [turf toe],” manager Robin Ventura said Tuesday. “I don’t know the exact medical term but it’s like turf toe, it’s right in the joint. Painful. It should be all right by Friday.”
With Melky Cabrera in left, Adam Eaton in center and Avisail Garcia in right, the Sox fielded their 2015 outfield Tuesday.
Jackson’s injury is untimely with the Sox scuffling through a seven game losing streak going into Tuesday’s game. Jackson, who had started 49 of 51 games in center before the injury, was batting .464 over his last eight games.
More Salad?
Tyler Saladino played shortstop for the third time in four games, and while Ventura wouldn’t commit to more time for the 26-year-old over 37-year-old Jimmy Rollins, it seems a distinct possibility. Saladino has more range and has been a more productive hitter.
“You know what he can do defensively and I think his range has been a little better than people probably thought it would be,” Ventura said.
Saladino walked twice and singled in his first three at-bats. He stole second and third (the latter standing up) against lefty Steve Matz and scored on Dioner Navarro’s single to left in the sixth.
Rollins, who will start Wednesday afternoon, Ventura said, has started 34 games at short. Saladino, who has started 18, walked and singled in his first two at-bats to raise his average to .279 with 11 RBI. Rollins was hitting .226 with eight RBI.
“You start seeing him progress as well and there are spots for him to get in there,” Ventura said.
“He’s played well. He’s had great at-bats. He had a homer the other day. But you start watching him defensively and he’s had some quality at-bats and he’s earned a little playing time.”
Shields rocked
Padres right-hander James Shields, about whom the Sox have been involved in trade discussions, was raked by the Seattle Mariners for 10 runs (all earned) on eight hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings Tuesday. Shields (2-7) saw his ERA climb to 4.28 in an outing that might temper the Sox’ enthusiasm for the right-hander.
“When things aren’t going well … you have to guard yourself against doing something strictly emotional or reactionary,” general manager Rick Hahn said, speaking generally about trade possibilities, “that’s going to cause perhaps more long-term damage than any short-term benefit from doing something. That applies to a trade or any sort of change to any process you’ve got going on and anyone in uniform.”
This and that
Brett Lawrie made his first appearance in the No. 2 hole of the lineup, against left-hander Steven Matz.
