Ortiz to make return Friday

Posted: Thu Jul 24 2:07 PM

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who has been sidelined since the end of May due to a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, is slated to make his return to the lineup on Friday.

The announcement came Thursday, one day before the Red Sox and Yankees begin a three-game set at Fenway Park.

Ortiz was hitting .252 with 13 homers and 43 RBI in 54 games before the injury. He had spent rehab stints with both Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket on the road to recovery.

Boston has gone 26-19 without his big left-handed swing in the lineup, and are currently a half-game behind Tampa for first place in the AL East.