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Delayed homecoming for Red Sox’ Shane Victorino

Ex-Phillie makes return to Philly

Shane Victorino remains quite popular in Philadelphia, for his Phillies career as well as his charitable endeavors.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

PHILADELPHIA — For Shane Victorino, Monday’s season opener against the Philadelphia Phillies represents a long-delayed homecoming.

Victorino played for the Phillies from 2005-12 and was one of the more popular athletes in the city, both for his accomplishments on the field and many charitable works. He was a key part of Philadelphia’s World Series championship team in 2008.

Victorino was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for three players on July 31, 2012, and has not played at Citizens Bank Park since.

Victorino returned to Philadelphia with the Red Sox in 2013, but was injured and did not play. He was shown on the scoreboard during the series and received an ovation.

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“I’m with the Red Sox now and that’s my focus. But it would be special to get a chance to play in that park again in front of those fans,” Victorino said last week. “That has been in the back of my mind.”

Victorino and the Sox worked out at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday.

Ortiz at first

Sox manager John Farrell did not reveal his lineup, but acknowledged that David Ortiz would start at first base Monday with no designated hitter available.

Ortiz did not play any games at first base during spring training, but took grounders from time to time and declared himself ready. He has played 18 games at first base over the last three seasons without committing an error.

Mike Napoli, despite a monster spring training in which he hit .400 with a 1.342 OPS, will come off the bench for at least the first game.

“One of the disadvantages that we have is that coming into a National League ballpark, we’re built as an American League club,” Farrell said. “Two of our primary power hitters occupy that same position of first base.

“Mike has had a very, very good spring training. He’s certainly available to us. Both guys will play a significant role in this series.”

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With the Phillies starting lefthander Cole Hamels, Farrell suggested there would be some changes to the lineup he used in the final days of spring training.

“There might be some things we might adjust accordingly, particularly in the middle of the lineup,” he said.

Pablo Sandoval, who hit .199 against lefthanders last season, could be dropped down a spot. Ortiz is 0 for 3 against Hamels in his career and is expected to bat third or fourth.

Roster moves made

The Red Sox set their Opening Day roster with a series of transactions.

Righthander Koji Uehara was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27 with a strained left hamstring. Uehara is eligible to return Saturday, but the team has a schedule in place that would have him ready for the home opener next Monday.

Lefthander Edwin Escobar was placed on the 15-day DL with elbow inflammation. He last pitched in a game March 28. The Sox made no mention of his injury until Sunday.

Six players were reassigned to minor league camp: outfielder Quintin Berry, infielder Jeff Bianchi, lefthander Brian Johnson, catcher Luke Montz, catcher Humberto Quintero, and infielder Jemile Weeks. All are expected to be with Triple A Pawtucket.

On the spot

Opening Day starter Clay Buchholz started the fifth game last season. The last Red Sox pitcher who went from being the No. 5 starter to getting the nod on Opening Day a year later was Roger Clemens in 1988 . . . Dustin Pedroia will be making his ninth career Opening Day start at second base. Only Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr, with 13, has more in team history at that position . . . The Sox are opening in Philadelphia for the first time since 1954, when they faced the Philadelphia Athletics at Connie Mack Stadium. The Sox lost that game, 6-4 . . . This season marks the 100th anniversary of the Red Sox meeting the Phillies in the World Series. The teams will wear throwback caps Thursday to mark the occasion.

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Welcome aboard

Mookie Betts, Brock Holt, Tommy Layne, and Steven Wright are on their first Opening Day rosters. Wright will not attend the game as he will be pitching in a minor league intrasquad game back in Fort Myers, Fla., to stay on turn . . . The Sox are opening on the road for the fifth consecutive season. They are 55-58-1 on Opening Day with losses in three of the last four games . . . The Orioles kept 22-year-old righthander Jason Garcia, a Rule 5 pick from the Red Sox. Garcia, who never advanced beyond low Single A with the Sox, has to stay on Baltimore’s roster all season or be offered back.


Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.