Red Sox place Betts on DL with abdominal strain

The Boston Red Sox have placed outfielder Mookie Betts on the 10-day disabled list with a left abdominal strain, retroactive to May 29.

Though a corresponding move will be officially announced Saturday, first baseman Sam Travis will take Betts' place, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.

Betts has missed the last five games with what was characterized as a side injury. It wasn't seen as an especially serious ailment, with manager Alex Cora saying Thursday that Betts would have been in the lineup if it was later in the season.

The earliest Betts can now return to the lineup will be Friday, June 8 against the Chicago White Sox, as the longest a player's DL stint can be backdated is three days.

The Red Sox have weathered the storm relatively well without their best player, going 3-2, but his absence still leaves a noticeable hole in the lineup. Entering Friday, Betts is second in the majors in wins above replacement (4.1) after hitting .359/.437/.750 with 17 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 48 games.