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Ailing Ramirez won't play outfield again this season

Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The experiment is over and it didn't go according to plan.

Interim manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Hanley Ramirez will not appear in the outfield again this season for the Boston Red Sox, leaving Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo, and Jackie Bradley Jr. the bulk of the work.

With Ramirez out of action with a sore right shoulder, Lovullo is "hopeful" he will play before the end of the season, but also wants to give more playing time to Bradley Jr. in center field, with the combination of Betts and Castillo manning the corners.

Ramirez has spent all but one game for the Red Sox in left field, a position he had never played prior to coming to Boston via offseason free agency.

The 31-year-old is a mile behind the other Red Sox outfielders in defensive runs saved.

Player DRS
Mookie Betts 10
Rusney Castillo 7
Jackie Bradley Jr. 3
Hanley Ramirez -19

Ramirez has been working at first base and could see playing time there, but it's doubtful he takes over at his natural position of shortstop with Xander Bogaerts blocking his way.

With Ramirez still sidelined with the sore shoulder, it's not a current issue, but Boston is going to have to figure out what to do with the veteran who is locked into a contract until the end of 2018 with a salary of $22.75 million per year and a $22 million vesting option for 2019 if he returns.

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