Why the Red Sox are sitting David Ortiz, plus notes

ARLINGTON, Texas -- David Ortiz is in a bad slump and has a bad cold.

He's not going to play for a couple of games at least, manager John Farrell said today.

"As you do with every player, you talk and try to keep up to date with each guy individually and this is a chance to hopefully have him get over that as well as address some of the things and give him a little bit of a breather,” said Farrell. “Actually after the game yesterday we spoke about it, talked about what's upcoming, the remainder of this road trip. That's not to say we don't get him back at some point while we're here in Texas. Have a chance to hopefully accomplish a few things and that's to get him over what he's dealing with.”

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