"Kevin Youkilis will be officially activated off the disabled list before the game tonight and will hit fourth. He missed 15 days with a strained lower back and received an epidural shot to help with the discomfort.

"I definitely feel better. I wouldn't have come off if I didn't feel like I could play at a high level," Youkilis said. "I feel good. I can run, I can throw, I can hit — all the things that you need to do to play the game. For me, right now, it's just going out there and doing it."

Terry Francona was happy to write Youkilis' name back on the lineup card.

"Having him right smack in [middle of] the order is huge. … It's good. One big hitter in the middle makes everybody better," the manager said."