Ortiz could be activated after successful workout

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CLEVELANDDavid Ortiz isnt in Sundays lineup and Sox manager Bobby Valentine wouldnt venture a guess as to when his designated hitter will return.

Ortiz will go through workouts on Progressive Field prior to Sundays series finale against the Cleveland Indians, but he wont be activated until hes feeling good after a full workout.

Ortiz has been taking regular batting practice and hes been trotting his big body out for cone exercises and running drills. But it needs to get to a point where all painsorenessdiscomfort must be removed from the right Achilles tendon before hes ready to play.

Hes not there quite yet.

Hes at the point where if he has a full workout and doesnt feel the pain afterward, then hell be ready to go. Thats what they tell me, said Bobby Valentine. Hes done the full workout a couple of times and theres something in a specific spot. Its not so much soreness as its that specific spot.

Ortiz has admitted that hes likely going to have to play through some discomfort when he returns. Such is the life of a 36-year-old baseball player thats gone through years of wear and tear on his body with a right heel thats become a recurring issue. But Valentine didnt want to put any undue pressure on Bostons best offensive player and lone All-Star this season.

I dont know how were going to measure the pain hell play through, said Valentine. Im afraid to go out and watch because I dont want him to think Im pushing him, which Im definitely not.

Ortiz has been on the 15-day disabled list since straining the right Achilles running the bases on a home run ball back on July 17, and the Sox offense hasnt been the same without their power-hitting designated hitter.

The Ortiz-less Sunday afternoon lineup against the Indians looks like this:

CF Ellsbury
LF Crawford
2B Pedroia
1B Gonzalez
RF Ross
DH Saltalamacchia
SS Aviles
3B Valencia
C Shoppach

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