Nunez removed from Game 1 vs. Astros after aggravating knee injury

In the top of the first inning of the American League Division Series, Boston Red Sox designated hitter Eduardo Nunez fell down running to first base on a groundout and needed to be carried off the field after aggravating his right knee injury.

In the third inning, Hanley Ramirez officially took Nunez's spot in the lineup.

Nunez has been plagued by a knee injury since early September and missed all but one game after Sept. 9. He played five innings Sept. 25, but the utility man was removed from that game as well after aggravating his knee injury.

The 30-year-old slotted into the No. 2 spot in the Red Sox lineup for Game 1 against the Houston Astros on Thursday, knocking Ramirez from the series opener.

Since the Red Sox acquired Nunez from the San Francisco Giants, he's been one of Boston's best hitters, slashing .321/.353/.539 over 38 games despite the injury.