Jacoby Ellsbury to Begin Rehab Assignment Friday Playing Designated Hitter in Florida

Jacoby Ellsbury is getting closer to regaining his spot as the Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter.

Ellsbury will head out on his first rehab assignment after sitting out nearly two months with a subluxed shoulder, according to Bobby Valentine. Ellsbury’s first stop will be in Florida, to work out with outfield mate Carl Crawford and focus on getting back to Fenway.

“I think after [Wednesday] Jacoby is going to go back down there too,” Valentine told reporters before Tuesday’s game, “so at least they’ll not be playing together if the rain continues.”

Ellsbury is set to DH games starting on Friday with Crawford ready to play in the field.

“The thing is, I think Carl was ready to play in the field when the rain hit,” Valentine speculated. “Maybe that’s why [Ellsbury is] DHing, because Carl doesn’t need to.”

With Boston only two games out of the last wild card spot and Ellsbury getting closer to a possible return, things are looking up in Red Sox Nation.