The Boston Red Sox have gotten by early this season with many key players missing games. On Friday, they'll have the closest thing to their projected lineup that they've had all season. The team activated outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. off the disabled list on Friday and slotted him back into the lineup.
Bradley Jr. returns after missing just over a week and a half with a hyperextended right knee. His return to the team is a major boost for a team that missed his on-base ability and defense in center field. He'll hit sixth in Friday's lineup and Boston hopes returns to the 2016 breakout form when he hit 26 home runs, scored 94 runs and had a 119 wRC+.
His return will push Andrew Benintendi back to his more comfortable left field position, which also could help him settle down at the plate and get back in his groove. In terms of playing time, Chris Young takes the big hit and loses a starting spot with a healthy Red Sox outfield now together, pushing Young into a bench role.