Report: David Ortiz 'highly unlikely' to be ready for opener with heel injury

Red Sox DH David Ortiz will be shut down for 5-7 days after an MRI showed inflammation in his right heel. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

An MRI on Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz revealed inflammation in the bony area of his right heel that will likely force him to miss Opening Day, ESPNBoston.com is reporting.

The Red Sox will shut the 37-year-old down for 5-7 days, according to the report, and manager John Farrell said it is "highly unlikely" that Ortiz will be ready for the team's April 1 opener at Yankee Stadium.

Ortiz, who hit .318 with 23 home runs in 90 games in 2012, will perform no physical activity and will take anti-inflammatory medicine during his rest period, according to Farrell.

The MRI was originally viewed as a precaution to determine why he was experiencing soreness in his heels rather than in his strained Achilles' tendon, which forced him to miss all but one game from July 18 through the end of last season.