Slumping shortstop out of lineup as Nunez takes over

NEW YORK – Xander Bogaerts, mired in a long slump and battling a variety of nagging injuries, was absent from the Red Sox lineup in the team’s second game of a four-game series with the New York Yankees.

The move came as the Red Sox welcomed back Bogaerts’ traditional double-play partner, Dustin Pedroia, back from the DL after he missed better than three weeks with a second DL stint. With more bodies from which to choose, John Farrell sat Bogaerts and had Eduardo Nunez, who had been playing second base every day in Pedroia’s absence, moved to short.

“Trying to regroup here a little bit here tonight,’ said Farrell. “and get  (Bogaerts) some additional work done. We know he’s been banged up a little bit, nicked up with some things physically and I think the combination of all that has come to a head tonight, and possibly tomorrow.’’

In the 41 games since he was struck by a pitch on the hand on July 8, Bogaerts has slashed .205/.279/.308 with just 11 extra-base hits in that span.

Occasionally, Bogaerts seems limited by the hands, especially when it comes to driving the ball.

“There are times when you see him shake the hand when he misses (a pitch),’’ said Farrell. ”He dealt with a groin a while ago. We’ve given him days down to deal with some of those ailments, knowing that the struggles offensively could be the result of some of the things he’s dealt with. I just thought it was time to back off him a bit.’’

That decision may have been partly motivated by the first at-bat for Bogaerts in the first inning when he came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded and proceeded to take three pitches from CC Sabathia without taking the bat off his shoulders.

“Those are indicators that you look at and you take note of,’’ revealed Farrell. “Is it affecting him that much? You look at the body of work, you look at the way he’s approaching certain pitches, you look at the aggressiveness and is that a reflection of the confidence that’s going on?’’

With expanded rosters and the return of Pedroia, Farrell has more choices at his disposal for shortstop. In addition to Nunez, he could use Brock Holt. It’s expected that Deven Marrero will return to the big league club after he’s been at Pawtucket for 10 days, the minimum required when a player is optioned. He’ll be eligible to return Sunday.

Still, Bogaerts has by far the highest offensive ceiling of the bunch – when healthy –and the Sox want to get him straight as the final month unfolds.

“These last 30 games,’’ said Farrell, “it’s important for Bogaerts and all of us to find ways to build momentum as we get in the final month and hopefully beyond.’’