The Red Sox are shuffling their lineup again, except this time the changes will look a little more recognizable to fans.
Outfielder Mike Cameron will be activated for Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, and Jacoby Ellsbury will be moving back to center field, shifting Cameron to left. Cameron's return to the active roster leaves outfielder Darnell McDonald as the odd man out, with the Sox designating him for assignment.
Ellsbury confirmed the change to WEEI after Monday's 6-1 win over the Rays, noting that he's happy to return to center.
"That's where I've always played, center," he told WEEI. "I think that's definitely my natural position and where you would think I would play … they told me I was going to left and I told them basically whatever would help the team out, I would go to left. Now it's come back around and I'm fine with it."
McDonald, who made his arrival known through his game-tying and later game-winning hits in his first game with the big club, helped keep the Sox outfield afloat during the injuries to Ellsbury and Cameron.
"There was nothing else to do," Terry Francona told ESPN.com's Gordon Edes. "I hope for his sake somebody claims him. I'm very appreciative for what he did for us."
The Sox outfield will match the Opening Day lineup for the first time since Ellsbury fractured several of his ribs in a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre in an April 11 game against the Royals. Cameron was put on the 15-day DL after suffering an abdominal injury.
