Red Sox Notes: Ortiz takes BP

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NEW YORK -- David Ortiz rejoined the Red Sox here after spending the Texas series back in Boston. Ortiz, who is on the DL with a sore Achilles tendon, is out of the protective boot he was wearing and took batting practice on the field.

Ortiz is eligible to come off the DL Wednesday and Bobby Valentine was hopeful that he'd be able to return to the lineup as quickly as that day.

"I think he's on pace to be back when his rehab stint is over,'' said Valentine.

Unsurprisingly, the Sox have struggled offensively without Ortiz, who leads the team in virtually every significant category including homers, RBI, extra-base hits, slugging percentage and total bases.

In his absence, the Red Sox have scored three runs or fewer in six of the 10 games they've played.

"David was so on since Day 1 of the season,'' said Valentine. "It's hard to say we've haven't missed him.''

Reliever Daniel Bard has been pitching better in Pawtucket of late and Valentine hinted that he might be close to rejoining the parent club.

"I've kept very close tabs on him,'' said Valentine. "I've seen him a few times on video; I've gotten reports on every game. I've communicated with him a little during the process. I think he's getting close. He's throwing the ball better and better and better. And pitching better and better and better and getting better results. So that's where we want him to be.''

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