"For about five minutes yesterday, in 100-plus-degree heat, David Ortiz tested his right heel by running a half-dozen short sprints under the supervision of trainer Mike Reinold.

And that was enough.

Ortiz will return to the Red Sox lineup tonight against the Rangers after missing eight games with a case of bursitis in his heel. And he has only one expectation for himself, even against tough lefty Matt Harrison.

"Go deep," Ortiz said.

The Sox never placed Ortiz on the disabled list because they didn't think he would need to be sidelined for 15 days. Turns out they were right. After he ran yesterday, he was medically cleared, and according to manager Terry Francona, he could have pinch-hit in last night's 11-5 rout of the Rangers.

"He's a big part of our lineup," said center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury [stats], who made his own return last night after a three-game absence because of a bruised back. "Middle of the order, drives in runs, he's a threat. It will be nice to have him back."

In Ortiz' absence, rookie Ryan Lavarnway has handled most of the designated hitter duties. He was 2-for-5 with an RBI double last night, and in six games since being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, he's 7-for-22 (.318) with two doubles and three RBI.

Now that Ortiz is back, Lavarnway figures to go to the bench, but the Red Sox also have had internal discussions about whether he might be better off getting regular at-bats at Pawtucket, which is headed for the International League playoffs."