BOSTON — Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez was out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game on Sunday because of back tightness.
Boston manager Alex Cora said the 31-year-old Martinez “is feeling better, but he’s not ready to play.”
Martinez has not started eight of the last 20 games. He missed four games in Toronto from May 21-23. Cora said the first two games were because of illness and the last two because of his back.
Martinez hit .330 with 43 homers and a major league-leading 130 RBIs last year after signing a $110 million, five-year contract. He is batting .296 with 12 homers and 33 RBIs this season — down from .318 with 21 homers and 54 RBIs at this point last year.
CLEVELAND — Yankees starter Domingo Germán was placed on the injured list with a hip flexor, another blow to New York’s pitching staff.
The team made the move on Sunday before completing a three-game series against Ceveland. Germán has been ineffective in his past three starts, but he didn’t tell the Yankees about his injury until Saturday.
Manager Aaron Boone said the right-hander will undergo an MRI on Monday. To take his spot on the roster, the Yankees recalled left-hander Stephen Tarpley from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Germán was denied his 10th win Friday night as he lost for the second time after going six innings in a 4-2 loss to the Indians. He has an 8.59 ERA in his past three starts, allowing seven homers in 14 2/3 innings.
The Yankees are already missing starter Luis Severino (shoulder), reliever Dellin Betances (shoulder) and are using their bullpen to get through Sunday’s game after placing Masahiro Tanaka on the paternity list.
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