Red Sox Lineup: Ellsbury Leading Off, Middlebrooks Back At Third Against Rays
BOSTON (CBS) - Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the Red Sox lineup for the first time since April as Boston opens up their post-All-Star break schedule.
Ellsbury will bat first and play center field as Boston opens a three-game set with the Rays in St. Petersburg. It's his first Major League game since injuring his shoulder while sliding into second in the Red Sox' home opener April 13 at Fenway Park.
Read: Red Sox-Rays Preview
Eerily, Ellsbury injured his shoulder on Friday the 13th, and is now returning on a Friday the 13th.
Also returning to the Boston lineup on Friday is third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who missed Boston's seven games prior to the All-Star break with a bothersome hamstring.
Here is the full Boston lineup for their series opener against the Rays:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Daniel Nava, LF
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
7. Ryan Sweeney, RF
8. Mike Aviles, SS
9. Pedro Ciriaco, 2B
Left-hander Franklin Morales (1-2, 3.50 ERA) gets the start on the mound for Boston, opposed by Tampa's Jeremy Hellickson (4-5, 3.41 ERA).
To make room for Ellbury on the roster, the Red Sox designated right-hander Justin Germano for assignment.
