BOSTON -- Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the lineup Sunday, after getting a day off Saturday for a leg ailment.
We were trying to keep the situation from getting where we dont want it to be, Valentine said. So, hopefully the situations caught.
Valentine would not say what the ailment was, except to say that it was not a hamstring issue.
Not it wasnt a hamstring. He doesnt like to have things mentioned. It was just a preventative thing, Valentine said.
Before Saturdays game, Ellsbury worked on his bunting.
Because he hasnt played so much and hasnt had those reps hes not as comfortable doing a sacrifice, I mean bunt for a hit, Valentine said. They play him in close from third. You have to make a really good bunt if you're going to bunt to third. But hes fast.
Valentine said Josh Beckett is still on schedule to start Wednesdays homestand finale against the Rangers. Beckett long-tossed Saturday and Sunday and will likely have a bullpen session Monday.
Boston Red Sox
Left-hander Rich Hill, on the DL since June 9 with an elbow strain, had a bullpen session Sunday morning. Valentine said while Hill is not far away from beginning a rehab assignment, there is no schedule for one yet.
Valentine said he expected a full bore workout where they test everything for David Ortiz today.
Left-hander Franklin Morales, who made his last start July 13 against the Rays, will not be on a pitch count or any other limitations today.