Boston Red Sox infielder Caleb Durbin returned to the starting lineup on Thursday night for the series opener against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park after escaping a serious finger injury.
The 26-year-old third baseman suffered a left pinky subluxation after sliding into first base during Wednesday's loss to the Colorado Rockies, forcing an early exit in the third inning.
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Despite the injury and a heavily delayed flight from Denver, Durbin was penciled into the number six spot in the batting order by interim manager Chad Tracy.
Boston entered the four-game series with a 32-46 record, trailing the 48-31 Yankees by 15.5 games in the standings.
Left-hander Connelly Early took the mound for Boston against New York right-hander Cam Schlittler.
Manager Praises Durbin's Resilience
“I’m proud of that kid, man.
I think he was sitting in the postgame [clubhouse] and said he was more disappointed that they couldn't get it back in right away, and [he could] go back in the field,” said Chad Tracy, Red Sox interim manager.
“But they were able to get it back in, and all things considered, it was a little sore and he said he was ready to go.
So we dodged a bullet there. And you worry about when that happens -- is there a break in there?”
Tracy noted after Wednesday's game that the infielder's finger was visibly displaced before medical personnel addressed it, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
