The move will not be official until just prior to first pitch, but Jacoby Ellsbury has been installed into center field and will bat leadoff for the Red Sox on Wednesday night against the Cleveland Indians.
Ellsbury, who has played in six rehab games, will be activated before the game and play at Fenway Park for the first time since April 7, the finale of the opening series of the season.
His return drops Marco Scutaro to the second spot in the lineup. Scutaro had filled the leadoff role in Ellsbury's absence.
A night after crushing a two-run homer in his return to the active roster, Mike Lowell is on the bench. Victor Martinez will play first base and Kevin Cash will take Martinez's spot at catcher.
Here is the complete Red Sox lineup against former Boston righty Justin Masterson.
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Marco Scutaro, SS
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Victor Martinez, C
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Adrian Beltre, 3B
7. Ryan Kalish, LF
8. Jed Lowrie, 2B
9. Kevin Cash, C
And here is who Jon Lester will be facing.
1. Jason Donald, 2B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
4. Shelley Duncan, LF
5. Matt LaPorta, 1B
6. Jason Nix, DH
7. Andy Marte, 3B
8. Cameron Crowe, CF
9. Lou Marson, C
