Red-hot Red Sox offense to get Xander Bogaerts back vs. Yankees?

The Red Sox beat the Yankees, 15-7, on Thursday, August 2, 2018 (8/2/18) at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass. without starting shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who was hit by a pitch on the wrist earlier this week against the Phillies. Bogaerts should return to the lineup this weekend.

UPDATE: Xander Bogaerts is not in the Red Sox lineup Friday. Brock Holt will start at shortstop.

Not that you could tell from the final score Thursday, but the Boston Red Sox opened their four-game series against the Yankees without their full complement of players.

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts didn’t play in the 15-7 beatdown at Fenway Park. He was hit by a pitch on the wrist two days prior while facing the Phillies.

But Bogaerts could be back in the lineup on Friday, per the Boston Globe:

Bogaerts sat out Thursday still recovering from being hit in the right hand by a fastball on Tuesday night. He tried hitting before the game and said his hand did not feel good enough.

“Got some good rounds of treatment in. Come in [Friday] and see where we’re at again,” he said. “I just want to make sure it’s right once I get back. Obviously this is a big series.”

Bogaerts was hit in the same spot last season, came back too soon and went into a prolonged slump. It would not be a surprise if (manager Alex) Cora waits another day or two.

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Bogaerts is hitting .275 this season with 16 home runs and 65 RBI.

Brock Holt got the start at shortstop on Thursday. He went 0-for-4 with a walk. Holt was one of two Red Sox starters to go hitless against the Yankees. Catcher Blake Swihart was 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

The 15-7 win on Thursday allowed the Red Sox to expand their lead over the Yankees to 6.5 games in the American League East.

Boston, at 76-34, owns the best record in baseball.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.