Big Struggle For Big Papi

What happened Sunday night at Fenway seemed as unlikely as anything you can imagine. It's the rubber match between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees for their first series of the new MLB season and one big name is missing on the Red Sox lineup card: David Ortiz. Big Papi not playing?! So he's seriously injured? Did the heaven come down?! What's going on? Something very serious has to happen that Red Sox manager Terry Francona leaves his star slugger out of his starting lineup. Red Sox fans can only hope that it has nothing to do with an injury and it was just a day off because of David Ortiz truly serious slump to begin the season.

Either way, Big Papi is going through maybe the toughest time in his career. The 6-4, 230 pound Dominican is batting only .070 with one homerun and three RBIs. Yes, it's David Ortiz we are talking about here, not some average hitter who happens to have a slow start to his season. At first the reason for Papi's struggles seems obvious. He had knee surgery in the offseason and he might not be fully recovered. Yet then you have to ask when will he recover? The season has started now and for a guy his size it's definitely not helpful to play baseball every day when his knee isn't fully healed. Right now, he is feeling terrible as you can tell by him not carrying his usual smile. The situation will be interesting to follow not only for the Red Sox but also for the rest of the American League, as Papi is a vital part of Boston's success. Even if it might not yet be time to panic, Papi's struggles are definitely a serious concern for Red Sox nation...