BOSTON -- Angels third baseman Yunel Escobar was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup against the Red Sox with a left thumb sprain. Cliff Pennington started at third in Escobar's place, with Andrelton Simmons moving into the cleanup spot for the Halos.
Escobar is batting .280 with a .746 OPS, five home runs and 21 RBIs in 58 games this season. The 34-year-old veteran has already spent time on the disabled list this year, missing 17 games while dealing with a left hamstring strain.
The severity of Escobar's latest malady is unclear, as the Angels announced the lineup change about an hour before first pitch at Fenway Park.