Red Sox newcomer Justin Turner provides update following terrifying HBP to face
Boston Red Sox offseason acquisition Justin Turner updated fans on his health Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours following his early exit during the team's spring training game against the Detroit Tigers.
Turner departed the contest after being hit in the face by a Matt Manning fastball in the bottom of the first inning. Turner's positive update came after his wife, Kourtney, tweeted some initial positive news on Monday evening.
The Red Sox signed the longtime member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in January after the two-time All-Star received some apparent convincing from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Turner had 13 home runs, 81 RBIs and a career-high 36 doubles with the Dodgers during the 2022 regular season while posting a .278/.350/.438 slash line in 468 at-bats over 128 games.
The 38-year-old Turner is expected to receive most of his playing time this season as Boston's designated hitter, with some starts at first and third base as well. In a lineup filled with lefties such as All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers, power-hitting young first baseman Triston Casas, right fielder Alex Verdugo and Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida, Turner's presence from the right side of the batter's box is huge.
Turner is expected to hit somewhere in the middle of the order and ideally for "Red Sox Nation," can build on his 2022 career-high double total with plenty of two-baggers off the Green Monster this summer.
The Red Sox open their 2023 regular season at home against the Baltimore Orioles on March 30.
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