By Sean McAdam
CSNNE.com Red Sox InsiderFollow @sean_mcadam
ARLINGTON, Tex. -- Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the Red Sox lineup Tuesday night, and wasted no time making an immediate contribution.
Ellsbury,who missed the previous three games after being hit by a pitch inKansas City, singled to start the game, stole second, moved to third ona sacrifice bunt and came around on the first of Gonzalez's two homers, jumpstarting the Red Sox' offense en route to an 11-5 win over the Rangers.
"He was back about six seconds and he's standing on third," said Terry Francona after the game. "It's nice to see him healthy."
Ellsbury also made a fine running catch in the fifth to take extra bases away from Ian Kinsler.
"He impacts us a lot, obviously," said Francona.
Franconaalso said David Ortiz was cleared to pinch-hit Tuesday night, andwill return to the starting lineup Wednesday night.
Ortizran in the outfield in the 100-plus degree heat prior to Tuesday'sgame. He's been out of the lineup for the past week with bursitis inhis right heel.
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Asked if he felt ready to return to thelineup Wednesday night here, Ortiz said, "I can be in the lineup rightnow. But I have to wait and hear what the doctors tell me. This issomething that if you don't do exactly what they say, it can catch upwith you later on. I don't want to be stupid."
Ortiz said he felt no pain in the heel while running under the supervision of trainer Mike Reinold.
Even before Ortiz ran, manager Terry Francona said Ortiz "might be OK," to return Wednesday.
"If he's OK, he's going to be OK," said Francona. "If he does need another day, we'll do it."
Sean McAdam can be reached at smcadam@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sean on Twitter at http:twitter.comsean_mcadam