The Red Sox expect to have Jacoby Ellsbury in the lineup Saturday in Philadelphia, his first action with the team since he fractured four ribs in a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre on April 11.
After a 3-for-4 outing in another rehab game at Double-A Portland — a game in which Ellsbury stole a base, slid and dove back into first base — the speedy outfielder had seemingly passed all tests in his recovery from four fractured ribs.
"He wants to go, he's ready," manager Terry Francona said after Thursday's win over Minnesota. "He gives us a different element, that kind of game-changing speed that teams have to be aware of. All the things, the headaches we have when guys like [Rays left fielder Carl] Crawford is on base … It gives us certainly a different look than when he's not in we don't have."
Ellsbury told reporters earlier that he will take Friday to rest his legs, which are a bit sore after not having played much until the last week. But the pain that persisted in his side and chest is no longer an issue.
"It was one of those injuries where, once I feel good, it is not going to linger," Ellsbury said. "The issue is not going to linger on. Once I was back on the field, I should be close to 100 percent."
Without Ellsbury, the Sox have gone 19-17 but have become a slugging unit devoid of speed, and there have been some shaky defensive moments for a slew of players filling in for Ellsbury and fellow injured outfielder Mike Cameron.
Boston is last in the majors with 12 stolen bases and ranks 29th with just two triples. Ellsbury was batting .333 (10-for-30) with two steals before the injury.
Cameron, who like Ellsbury went on the disabled list April 18, will continue his rehab by playing center field with Portland on Friday.
