Red Sox's Ramirez leaves game vs. Angels with left hand soreness; X-rays negative

The injury woes of Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez simply won't stop.

The 31-year-old was removed from Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning due to left hand soreness, less than two innings after he was hit on his hand by an errant pitch from Garrett Richards.

Post-game X-rays on the injured hand came back negative, and Ramirez is expected to return to action when the soreness subsides.

"We'll check on him when he comes in tomorrow, but after the hit by pitch, he had a difficult time gripping the bat and we had to get him out of there," manager John Farrell told reporters after the game.

Ramirez, who missed several games earlier this month after straining his right shoulder, was replaced by Daniel Nava in the top of the sixth inning, his team trailing 11-3.

Ramirez, a three-time All-Star, entered Friday's contest hitting just .216/.231/.275 with no home runs and nine strikeouts since hurting his shoulder May 4 at Fenway Park.