DETROIT — For three games now, Red Sox manager John Farrell has not made out his lineup based on the opposing pitcher, statistical analysis, or the opinions of his coaching staff.

Those were the days. Farrell is now reduced to asking which players are actually in uniform and not somewhere in bed or, worse, the bathroom. The names change daily.

The depleted Sox were beaten again by the Detroit Tigers, 4-1, on Saturday before a crowd of 32,622 at Comerica Park.

The Red Sox were missing three of their best hitters. Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez were unavailable because of the flu and Xander Bogaerts is on the bereavement list following the death of a family member.

Three of their Opening Day relievers also weren’t with the team. Robbie Ross Jr. is on the disabled list with the flu and Joe Kelly wasn’t able to make it to the park. Matt Barnes also had a death in his family.

Even NESN play-by-play man Dave O’Brien had to leave the broadcast booth Saturday when he took sick.

Left fielder Andrew Benintendi ducked out of the dugout to vomit during the sixth inning, but stayed in the game and singled in the eighth inning.

“We’re hopeful that was just a one-time deal,’’ Farrell said.

Reporters — from about 15 feet away — asked Benintendi if he would play Sunday.

“Everybody’s getting sick, but we’re good,’’ he said.

The manager is giving vomit updates; such is the state of the Red Sox. But the next day off won’t be until April 24. So one way or another, lineups have to be made and games played.

“I guess there’s an old saying: ‘You do what you can with what you have where you are,’ ’’ Farrell said. “That’s right where we’re at right now. Still have confidence in the guys that we run on the field.’’

Some of the players, coaches, and staff members have tested positive for flu. Others have flu symptoms and a third group respiratory issues. Being around the Sox has become hazardous to your health.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who has three sons, knows how quickly illness can spread through a family. Now it’s happening to his team.

“It’s tough,’’ Pedroia said. “We have to find a way to get everybody back and get over this little bug. You just have to grind. Everybody has to do something a little different.’’

On days when the lineup is weakened, the starting pitcher’s work becomes even more critical. Lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez was sharp through four innings, driven in part by a desire to show Detroit stars and fellow Venezuelans Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez what he was capable of.

The 24-year-old Rodriguez has come to know Cabrera and Martinez well. He also admires Tigers first base coach Omar Vizquel, who managed Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

“Everything was going how I wanted,’’ Rodriguez said. “I felt great.’’

But a 1-1 game got away from him in the fifth inning.

James McCann homered to left field with one out. JaCoby Jones and Jose Iglesias followed with doubles and Ian Kinsler with an RBI single.

“I was leaving pitches right over the middle of the plate,’’ Rodriguez said.

The Red Sox came back from a 4-0 deficit to take the lead before losing Friday. But this time they went quietly as Jordan Zimmerman and three relievers allowed two hits over the final four innings.

The Sox have played 38 innings this season and scored in only four of them. The run Saturday came in the second inning when Mitch Moreland doubled, took third on a fly ball, and scored on Jackie Bradley Jr.’s sacrifice fly.

The Sox were otherwise 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, missing chances to score in the third, seventh, and eighth innings.

Benintendi grounded into a double play with the bases loaded in the third. Brock Holt, who was sick earlier in the week, struck out with two on to end the seventh. Then Pablo Sandoval grounded into a double play to end the eighth.

The inconsistency of the offense will change in time as the lineup gets key pieces back. Betts rejoined the team Saturday and should be able to play Sunday. Bogaerts is scheduled to return Monday. Ramirez is still back in Boston but on Friday received treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital for a high fever.

“I’m getting there,’’ Betts said.

For now, Farrell and Sox will show up Sunday and see who is available.

“It’s not like we can go home and quit. We have games to play, man,’’ Pedroia said. “We’ve got a job to do and we’ll try and do it the best we can.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @peteabe.