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David Ortiz ‘frustrated’ going on disabled list

Designated hitter David Ortiz, sporting a walking boot, strolled into the clubhouse before Thursday night’s game against the White Sox and expressed his frustration over having to go on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right Achilles’ tendon.

“Of course, I want to be on the field, like usual,’’ Ortiz said. “But those things I can’t really control. That’s part of it. I’m a little frustrated, I’m not going to lie to you, especially with having some guys coming back and the way things are going.’’

Ortiz became the 22d Red Sox to go on the DL this season, after he awkwardly stepped on the bag rounding second base on Adrian Gonzalez’s three-run homer in Monday night’s 5-1 victory.

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Ortiz underwent an MRI Tuesday in Boston, then flew to Miami Wednesday to seek a second opinion.

“They said pretty much the same thing, just to sit out and just wait a couple of weeks, get it treated and it’ll be fine,’’ Ortiz said.

Ortiz said he hoped to be out of his walking boot in 3-4 days. He expected to resume hitting Friday, with the boot on.

“Did he say that?’’ manager Bobby Valentine said before the 3-1 win.

Was Ortiz, perhaps, yanking someone’s leg? “He might do something where balls are just coming in and he does something more with upper body and in synch with his lower body,” Valentine said. “But it’ll all be supervised and regulated, I’m sure.’’

Asked how he felt about the way the team responded in his first day on the DL, erupting for 10 runs and 14 hits Wednesday night, including three homers combined by Cody Ross and Gonzalez, Ortiz said, “That was great, man. To me, that’s the best thing that can happen to somebody like myself when you go on the DL. You keep on watching the guys holding on and providing wins, so at least you don’t feel that guilty.”

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Given green light

Larry Lucchino went on WEEI Wednesday and indicated the team had “empowered’’ general manager Ben Cherington to act boldly with the July 31 trading deadline approaching.

“We have talked frequently about boldness, that you’ve got to know when to be bold and know when to be somewhat more conservative and methodical,” the team president said. “But this is a club that’s been built on bold moves over the years, going way back to the Nomar Garciaparra trade as but one example.

“There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Ben Cherington and the entire baseball operations department, and the extent that [owners] John [Henry], Tom [Werner], and I are involved in it, are all pointed toward working hard for July 31.”

Said Valentine, “All I can tell you is that Ben works as much, as hard, as diligently as anybody I’ve ever been around. If there’s something he can do to improve our team, I’m sure he’s going to do it. I don’t know if it’s one thing, many things, or no things, but I’ll guarantee you that all avenues will be explored.”’

Asked what pressing needs the team faced, Valentine said, “I like my team, I like my pitching, I like our offense and defense. If Ben feels there’s a way of improving what we have, I’ll be all for that, too. But I don’t see any gaping holes on our team.’’

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Pedroia activated

With the return of Dustin Pedroia from the disabled list, the Sox optioned first baseman/third baseman Mauro Gomez, who had been called up Wednesday, back to Pawtucket. It meant Pedro Ciriaco, who filled in at second base during Pedroia’s absence, was the DH, hitting ninth.

It was Ciriaco’s first major league start at DH.

“I played DH in the minors when I hurt my oblique, but it was just to see how I felt swinging the bat,’’ said Ciriaco, who went 1 for 3. “The only thing is I won’t be playing defense. I’ll just try to go out there and have fun.’’

Valentine said the decision to send Gomez down over Ciriaco was based, in large part, because Gomez had options and Ciriaco didn’t. “It’s not apples to apples,’’ Valentine said.

Tossing it around

Andrew Bailey continued his rehab from thumb surgery with a long-toss session on flat ground Thursday, after a 30-pitch bullpen Tuesday. “Everything felt great,’’ he said. “Started mixing in a little offspeed [pitches].’’ Bailey said he planned to throw another bullpen Friday. “It’s definitely progressing the way I want to and it’s going really well,’’ he said. “First time I started throwing pens a couple of weeks ago, I just wasn’t feeling right. But I think we kind of nipped it in the bud and, unfortunately, it took some more time. But as long as I’m healthy and going in the right direction, that’s what counts.’’ . . . Adrian Gonzalez went 2 for 4 and has hit safely in 23 of 24 games, hitting .408 (40 for 98) over that stretch . . . Alfredo Aceves earned his first win (1-6) with a scoreless ninth. He is 25-9 for his career, the third best winning percentage (.735) in modern history among players with at least 30 decisions . . . Rich Hill, on the 60-day DL with an elbow strain, made about 60 throws from 105 feet. “Everything feels good right now,’’ he said . . . Kevin Youkilis was held out of the White Sox’ lineup because of a tight left hamstring . . . The Red Sox dealt righthander Justin Germano to the Cubs for cash considerations.

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Michael Vega can be reached at vega@globe.com.