X-rays negative on Bradley's thumb, but more tests due Wednesday

CLEVELAND – In the middle of their 9-1 romp over the Cleveland Indians Tuesday night, the Red Sox had themselves a scare.

Jackie Bradley Jr., who had homered and singled, slid safely into home plate in the top of the seventh, and in so doing, twisted his left thumb. He left the game and was replaced by Chris Young. Bradley underwent x-rays, which were negative.

“We’re going to send him back to Boston first thing (Wednesday) morning,’’ said John Farrell, “for further testing and an exam there. He feels OK, given the position that the thumb ended up in. But the x-rays were negative, so the first test (was good news), but we’ll get more information.’’

Bradley is set to undergo an MRI in Boston, then return to Cleveland. He’s unlikely to play Wednesday night regardless of what’s discovered Wednesday morning, but could be back in the lineup for the series finale Thursday night.

Bradley was first base in the seventh when Eduardo Nunez banged a double off the left field wall. He was waved home and arrived to find Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes partly blocking the plate.

“I wanted to slide headfirst because I could control it,’’ said Bradley. “I wasn’t going to slide anywhere near him. I was going to slide headfirst and just have my hand kind of reach around. But as I was approaching, I kind of could see him gather (the ball). He starting coming to kind of block the plate, so I had to redirect my slide.

“I actually slid feet-first, but also slid to the outside part of the plate., tried to avoid the tag and then slapped my hand at the back of the plate and as (I did that), his glove kind of got me in the forearm and my thumb got caught with the ground and kind of bent in all directions, I guess.’’

Bradley maintained that he wasn’t worried about the thumb, but thought getting a second, closer look would be beneficial.

“Right now, it feels alright,’’ he said, “I guess as good as it can be after the injury. But I feel like I’ll be alright.’’