Mastrodonato: Jackie Bradley Jr. has no hard feelings in return to Boston, and neither should the Red Sox

Jackie Bradley Jr. returned to Fenway Park on Tuesday for the primary time because the Crimson Sox launched him earlier this month.

The Gold Glove heart fielder was shortly snatched up by the rival Blue Jays, who wanted Bradley to fill the spot of the injured George Springer.

Springer is again in motion and the Jays are nonetheless utilizing Bradley, who was within the lineup batting ninth and taking part in heart subject on Tuesday towards the Crimson Sox. Springer was batting leadoff because the designated hitter.

“It’s good, feels prefer it was simply yesterday,” Bradley stated of his return to Fenway. “It’s been a couple of weeks however I’m excited to be right here.”

After posting an .814 OPS throughout a robust 2020 season in Boston, Bradley hit free company and was signed by the Brewers to a two-year, $26-million deal. However he turned within the worst season of his profession in Milwaukee, the place he hit simply .163 with a .497 OPS in 134 video games.

As a result of the Crimson Sox had been determined to improve their outfield protection and thought Bradley might be nearer to the participant he was, they acquired him again from the Brewers in alternate for Hunter Renfroe and two prospects earlier than the 2022 season.

The prospects, Alex Binelas and David Hamilton, each have an OPS beneath .700 in Double-A Portland this yr. Renfroe is hitting .241 with a .798 OPS and 22 house runs in Milwaukee. Bradley hit .210 with a .578 OPS earlier than the Sox launched him.

With the Blue Jays, he’s 2-for-12 with three RBI in 9 video games.

“I needed to have assist attending to the locker room, I didn’t know the place to go,” Bradley stated about returning to Fenway. “The gamers laughed at me as I requested the place the batting cage was. It’s an adjustment however it’s cool. Clearly I parked in the identical parking zone that I at all times parked in over right here with my guys. It was nice.

“I’m glad to be again right here. I’ve received quite a lot of reminiscences right here and my household has quite a lot of reminiscences right here so I’m glad they’ll be right here as effectively to help me.”

Bradley stated his total household was in Boston for the sequence.

Being let go after the 2020 season, then re-acquired earlier than 2022, then launched through the season was loads for Bradley to endure, however he stated he has no arduous emotions.

“They’d a job to do,” he stated. “I by no means actually get emotional about enterprise selections. …

“Clearly I’ve quite a lot of ties right here. Folks I’ve developed quite a lot of relationships with over time. I do know for sure that these relationships will nonetheless keep sturdy and be there. However you realize me, I’m not sometimes an emotional man. I’m excited to be right here and excited to have the ability to carry out.”

It’s straightforward to level to the Bradley commerce as an enormous a part of why the 2022 Crimson Sox roster wasn’t correctly put collectively.

It’s additionally straightforward to see the way it may’ve.

Kiké Hernandez was nice in heart subject final yr, however the Sox had been beneath common in each nook spots and too usually made expensive errors. Renfroe had a cannon for an arm, but additionally made 12 errors.

Upgrading within the outfield protection was a precedence, and if Bradley may’ve pushed his OPS nearer to his profession .695 mark, it wouldn’t have been a lot of a downgrade from Renfroe’s profession .788 OPS.

Bradley merely couldn’t get it moving into Boston. The 32-year-old continued to play elite protection, however appeared underutilized in proper subject and didn’t do sufficient with the bat to make up for it.

“It’s horrible by my requirements,” he stated. “I used to be by no means actually pleased with the way in which I carried out. However I got here to work on daily basis, put the work in. Generally the outcomes don’t at all times align. And that’s the way in which I felt however you’ve gotta proceed to return in, put the work in, and assist the group any approach you presumably can that day.”

The place the Sox went unsuitable was not having an offensive platoon companion with Bradley or a extra offensive first baseman. With horrible manufacturing from proper subject and first base, the Sox offense has been simply common this yr.

Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Bradley make an affect with the Blue Jays, who’re poised to make the playoffs as a wild card group.

“Every little thing occurs for a purpose,” he stated. “I’m very grateful for the chance that I’ve right here. Clearly we’ve got aspirations to attempt to make it deep into the playoffs and finally wish to win a World Sequence. …

“It’s superior. It’s thrilling. You at all times wish to play significant baseball. I feel that’s what makes issues enjoyable, thrilling, and brings out the most effective in quite a lot of ballplayers.”