OF Jacoby Ellsbury, still sidelined by rib injury, rejoins Red Sox teammates in Toronto

By AP
Friday, July 9, 2010

OF Jacoby Ellsbury rejoins Red Sox in Toronto

TORONTO — Boston outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury rejoined the Red Sox in Toronto Friday after being away for over a month while he worked out in Phoenix.

Catcher Victor Martinez, out since June 27 with a fractured left thumb, is not with the team this weekend and will not be ready to return following the All-Star break as planned, manager Terry Francona said.

Martinez and third baseman Mike Lowell (right hip) were given permission to stay behind in Boston for the final series before the break. Martinez will have a scan on his thumb next Wednesday, after he returns from the All-Star game in Anaheim.

Francona said second baseman Dustin Pedroia (fractured left foot) and catcher Jason Varitek (fractured right foot) will both have scans next Friday. Pedroia was hurt on June 26 while Varitek was injured on July 1. Both are expected to miss at least six weeks.

Ellsbury, limited to just nine games this season because of broken ribs, was scheduled to arrive during Friday’s game.

He’ll be examined by team doctors and resume baseball activities this weekend, then head to Boston’s spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday for further rehab.

“It’s a long way to come for two days but, because of the All-Star break, we really wanted our medical people to see him before he takes off and does his baseball stuff in Fort Myers,” Francona said.

Ellsbury, who led the majors with 70 stolen bases last season, broke four ribs in a collision with teammate Adrian Beltre on April 11. He was out for more than a month, then returned for a week before going back on the disabled list May 28.

Ellsbury is batting .250 with no homers, three RBIs and two steals.

Right-handed reliever Manny Delcarmen, out since July 1 with a sore right forearm, threw a 35 pitch bullpen session Friday and reported no pain, meaning he could be activated following the All-Star break.

“(Pitching coach) John Farrell was raving,” Francona said. “That was a good first step for Manny.”

Right-handed starter Josh Beckett, sidelined since May 19 with a sore lower back, threw 40 pitches Friday and is scheduled to start Sunday at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Outfielder Jeremy Hermida, out since June 10 with fractured ribs, will take batting practice each of the next three days, Francona said, and is “getting closer” to a rehab assignment.

The Red Sox currently have 11 players on the disabled list.

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