BOSTON -- In the initial lineup posted in the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday afternoon, Manny Ramirez was slated to play left field and Sean Casey was penciled in to start at designated hitter.

But Ramirez’s legs have been bothering him for a while, so manager Terry Francona made a lineup shift. Ramirez served as the DH last night. Casey began the game on the bench because Jacoby Ellsbury was shifted from center field to Manny’s position in left, which brought Coco Crisp off the bench for the start in center.

“Manny’s legs were bothering him in Baltimore,” said Francona. “He came up to me before the first game and told me. He didn’t get to two balls in that series and that hurt him.”

In obvious recognition of his 500th homer, which came in Baltimore, the fans at Fenway Park gave Ramirez a prolonged standing ovation when he came to the plate for the first time last night, leading off the second.

skrasner@projo.com