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Red Sox don't expect Pablo Sandoval, Blake Swihart to miss much time

MLB, Boston Red Sox

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval and catcher Blake Swihart likely will not be sidelined for an extended period of time, manager John Farrell said Sunday.

Sandoval and Swihart both were out of the lineup Sunday against the Kansas City Royals after suffering injuries in Saturday's game.

Sandoval left the clubhouse after Boston's 7-4 loss wearing a walking boot Saturday night, but that had been replaced Sunday by a tight white bandage. He sprained his left ankle during Kansas City's five-run fifth inning.

Swihart sprained his left foot when sliding into third base in the top of the fifth.

"Both guys are sore," Farrell said before Sunday's series finale. "We don't anticipate this is a DL situation for either at this point. But unlikely that either are available today."

Brock Holt replaced Sandoval at third base on Sunday while Sandy Leon was in for Swihart.

The struggling Red Sox, who are 10 games under .500 and in last place in the AL East, can ill afford to lose either player for long. Sandoval had two hits in each of his six previous games while Swihart had four hits his last two games.

Luckily for the Red Sox, they're off Monday before playing the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series at Fenway Park.

"We'll see how they respond to treatment today and tomorrow," Farrell said. "What other testing is needed will be determined over the course of the next 24 hours or so. But hopefully this is short-term for both guys."

An injury to Leon would leave the Red Sox short-handed at catcher. Mike Napoli would move over from first in case of an emergency, Farrell said.

The Red Sox picked up some catching insurance by claiming Erik Kratz off waivers Sunday. Kratz, 34, was designated for assignment by Kansas City on June 11. 

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