OAKLAND, Calif. – David Ortiz’s recurring irregular heartbeat could cost Boston’s beloved slugger the AL MVP and the Red Sox any chance of making the playoffs.

That’s the least of the Red Sox’s worries right now.

Ortiz, once the favorite for MVP, was scheduled to leave the team Tuesday for Boston to be examined again after already having spent time in a hospital earlier this month for the condition. He said he thought it was caused by stress and fatigue.

“He will get a clean bill of health before he plays again,” manager Terry Francona said after Boston’s 9-0 loss Monday night to the Oakland Athletics. “The games are important, but we have a responsibility to do what’s right. If there’s any risk at all, we’re not taking it.”

Big Papi was a late scratch for what was first thought to be the flu. Ortiz, who on Sunday hit his major league-leading 47th home run at Seattle, was to be seen by Dr. Larry Roman.

“It’s not good,” Boston reliever Mike Timlin said. “This game is nothing compared to someone’s health or family. We don’t play games with people’s lives. I don’t know any of the details. All I can do is pray for him.”

Francona, general manager Theo Epstein and trainer Paul Lessard met with Ortiz just more than an hour before game time.

“We honestly think he’s OK, but he can’t play like that,” Francona said. “We can’t do it.”

Boston is 8-19 in August, losing 19 games in a month for the first time since April 1996. This marks Boston’s first August with more than 18 losses since dropping 21 in 1985.

Kason Gabbard (0-3) didn’t allow a hit until Kielty’s one-out RBI double in the third. He was done an inning later after allowing four straight singles, including Kielty’s RBI single. Bryan Corey relieved and issued Thomas’ third free pass of the game, bringing in a run.

Loaiza, who pitched a four-hit shutout last Wednesday at Toronto, threw seven shutout innings. He allowed five hits, struck out four and walked one. He hasn’t given up an earned run in three starts since Aug. 13, 22 2-3 innings.