BOSTON -- Alex Gonzalez's X-rays on his right hand on Saturday morning came back negative and he should be cleared to play, his agent, Eric Goldschmidt, said.
Gonzalez, who was hit by Kerry Wood's 93-mile per hour fastball in the eighth inning of Friday night's win over the Cleveland Indians, still has full movement in his hands and could probably play on Sunday. Manager Terry Francona had already planned on giving Gonzalez the day off Saturday.
Gonzalez had preliminary X-rays Friday night, which revealed a small line on the outside part of his right hand. Gonzalez went to the hospital Saturday morning and had more extensive X-rays, which revealed no fracture.
"It's not a bone bruise or anything," Gonzalez said. "They said the line they saw on last night's X-ray was probably something old. I was worried when I heard those guys [the doctors] say it was a possible fracture. But I woke up fine. I was able to squeeze my hand. I'm fine."
The news will be welcome for Boston, which acquired Gonzalez from the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 14, in large part to shore up its defense. Shortstop Jed Lowrie had surgery on his left wrist earlier in the year and still battles soreness with his wrist, while infielder Nick Green has a bulging disc in his back that pinches on a nerve, causing weakness in his leg.
Green hasn't played in more than two weeks, and almost assuredly will not be able to come back this week and make the postseason roster for the first series against the Angels. The only healthy infielder is Chris Woodward, who was designated twice by the Red Sox this season and who only started one game at shortstop this year.
While the news on Gonzalez was positive, it may be a couple of days before the Red Sox know if Rocco Baldelli's strained hip will allow him to play against the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Division Series. Baldelli has been moving well the last week, and he might be in the lineup in Games 3 and 4 next weekend against Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders at Fenway. If Baldelli cannot play, it is likely Brian Anderson would be put on the postseason roster.
Amy K. Nelson is a staff writer for ESPN.com and ESPNBoston.com. You can reach her at amy.k.nelson@espn3.com or at twitter.com/amyknelson. Information from ESPN's Pedro Gomez and Peter Gammons was used in this report.