Red Sox Ortiz Expected To Return Wednesday Night
BOSTON (CBS) – David Ortiz ran sprints in the outfield in Texas on Tuesday, and the Red Sox DH has received medical clearance for a Wednesday return.
If Papi had it his way, the return would have come sooner.
"I can be in the lineup right now. I can't be watching this (stuff) no more," Ortiz said before the Red Sox 11-5 win over the Rangers Tuesday night.
Ortiz has missed nine games with bursitis in his right heel. He was in a boot to immobilize it, but began taking batting practice (sans boot) earlier in the week. One of his final steps toward a return was testing the heel out with sprints, which Papi said went well on Tuesday.
"I've been on top of it, everything they tell me," Ortiz said of following the doctor's orders. "This is something that if you don't do exactly what they say it can catch up with you. I don't want to be stupid."
Manager Terry Francona sounded confident that Ortiz would play Wednesday, adding he was available to pinch hit Tuesday night, but was not needed with Boston's offensive outburst.
Ortiz has hit .300 with a team-leading 30 home runs. His 79 RBI are good for second on the team.
His return, matched with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury's return from a back contusion Tuesday night, will only help the Red Sox as they head towards the postseason.
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That is, as long as they stay healthy.
"The main thing is being healthy going into the playoffs," said first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who hit two home runs on Tuesday. "Hopefully we'll be in the playoffs if we keep winning. We just want everybody healthy."
