Manager Terry Francona is hopeful that star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra -- who showed up Friday morning with a boot on his ailing right Achilles heel -- will be in the cleanup hole on Opening Night.
"Yeah, I hope so," said Francona. "Yeah, I think he's pretty confident of that. I think he'll be ready, I really do."
Garciaparra, who has been limited to eight at-bats this spring, took an MRI Thursday in Fort Myers and was diagnosed with mild right Achilles tendinitis.
"There are no structural deficits, meaning there is no profound risk," said Red Sox spokesman Glenn Geffner. "He's been placed in a boot to rest the Achilles tendon. His ability to return will be based on the symptoms. The hope is he'll be game-ready in about two weeks."
"Yeah, I hope so," said Francona. "Yeah, I think he's pretty confident of that. I think he'll be ready, I really do."
Garciaparra, who has been limited to eight at-bats this spring, took an MRI Thursday in Fort Myers and was diagnosed with mild right Achilles tendinitis.
"There are no structural deficits, meaning there is no profound risk," said Red Sox spokesman Glenn Geffner. "He's been placed in a boot to rest the Achilles tendon. His ability to return will be based on the symptoms. The hope is he'll be game-ready in about two weeks."
