Bogaerts removed after colliding with Verdugo on pop-up
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts exited Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners shortly after a collision with teammate Alex Verdugo.
Manager Alex Cora said postgame that Bogaerts is dealing with lower back discomfort and is listed as day-to-day, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.
In the top of the eighth inning, Bogaerts and Verdugo crossed paths while chasing a pop-up in short left field. As Bogaerts appeared to squeeze the ball, he tripped over the sliding Verdugo and landed on his lower back while his arm twisted awkwardly. The play was ruled an error on Verdugo and was upheld following Boston's challenge.
Xander Bogaerts and Alex Verdugo both stayed in the game after a scary collision pic.twitter.com/mshhWZap0U
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 21, 2022
Bogaerts was able to finish the half-inning, but Franchy Cordero pinch hit for him in the bottom of the eighth.
The 29-year-old is enjoying a stellar start to his season, hitting .326/.388/.465 with four home runs and 16 RBIs through 38 games.