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Ellsbury 'Likely' To Return To Red Sox Lineup Wednesday Night

BOSTON (CBS) - Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is set to return to the lineup Wednesday night in Colorado after missing the last 16 games with a fracture in his right foot.

Manager John Farrell said Ellsbury will "likely" bat lead-off and get the start in center following Boston's 8-3 loss to the Rockies on Tuesday night. Ellsbury began running and swinging a bat over the weekend and took full batting practice on the field before Tuesday's game.

Ellsbury, who has been out since September 5, said last week he doesn't anticipate any more issues with the foot once it's healed and was confident he would return before the end of the regular season.

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A key cog atop the Boston lineup, Ellsbury leads the team with 89 runs scored and leads the Majors with 52 stolen bases this season. He is batting .299 with 8 home runs and 52 RBIs in 131 games played.

Boston has an off-day on Thursday, and if all is well with the foot, Ellsbury will likely to see action in all three games against the Baltimore Orioles to knock off any rust ahead of the playoffs.

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After their regular season finale in Baltimore on Sunday, the Red Sox have four days off before the ALDS begins on October 4.

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