Boston's Sizemore back on the field for first time in more than 2 years

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, right, reacts after swinging and missing a throw by Northeastern pitcher James Mulry as Northeastern catcher Josh Treff, left, looks on in the third inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (The Associated Press)

Northeastern's James Mulry delivers a warm-up pitch in the fourth inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Steven Senne (The Associated Press)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Grady Sizemore returned to action for the first time in more than two years, playing three innings in left field and going hitless in two at-bats Thursday for the Boston Red Sox in a 5-2 victory over Northeastern.

Sizemore joined the Red Sox in January after being sidelined by multiple injuries with the Cleveland Indians. Once one of baseball's most dynamic players, the three-time All-Star had not played since Sept. 22, 2011. Since 2009, he has undergone seven operations, the last coming in 2012 for a herniated disc in his lower back.

Northeastern sophomore James Mulry, from West Roxbury, Mass., and a graduate of Boston Latin School, struck out stars Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz. He then got ahead of Mike Napoli, 1-2, before allowing a single. After walking Jonny Gomes, Mulry got Xander Bogaerts to ground out, ending the inning.

The Red Sox host Boston College in the nightcap.