According to the Associated Press Manny Ramirez will return to the Boston Red Sox line up tonight after a 24-game absence. Ramirez, who was out with a strained oblique, will bat 2nd for only the 6th time in his career.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona says that move will get Ramirez an extra at bat during the game.
Ramirez is hitting .292 with 20 HRs and 86 RBI. It is expected that he will be replaced after two or three at bats by Jacoby Ellsbury.
Ramirez was injured batting against the Yankees in New York on August 28th . In his absence the Red Sox AL East lead went from a seven-game lead over the second-place Yankees to two games. In the 24 games without him they were 12-12.
In other big pre-game news, it was announced that first baseman Kevin Youkilis will return tomorrow. Youkilis has missed 7 games since being hit on the wrist on Spetember 15th by the Yankees Chien-Ming Wang.
