The Red Sox take a step closer to getting their full complement of All-Star hitters back in the lineup with the return of David Ortiz on Wednesday.
Ortiz is back in the lineup as the designated hitter, bringing some meat back to the middle of the order as the Sox take on the Rangers.
Ortiz, who is battling right heel bursitis, is batting fifth behind cleanup hitter Dustin Pedroia. Now only Kevin Youkilis, on the disabled list with back soreness, is absent from the order. Jed Lowrie again takes Youkilis' place at third base.
Darnell McDonald replaces Josh Reddick in right field against Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison. Jason Varitek catches Josh Beckett, who is searching for just his second win in the month of August.
Ian Kinsler is the DH and leads off for the Rangers.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Marco Scutaro, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Jed Lowrie, 3B
Carl Crawford, LF
Jason Varitek, C
Darnell McDonald, RF
Rangers
Ian Kinsler, DH
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, LF
Michael Young, 3B
Mike Napoli, C
Mitch Moreland, 1B
David Murphy, RF
Endy Chavez, CF
Omar Quintanilla, 2B
