Sox offer no timetable on Ortiz's return

BOSTON --David Ortiz said he is in good health after experiencing heart palpitations and expects to return to the lineup Saturday. The Boston Red Sox were less definite about a timetable.

"My health is fine. The doctors have told me to rest today and practice Friday so I can be ready to return to the playing field on Saturday," the designated hitter said Thursday on radio station Z-101 of his native Dominican Republic.

But Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said after Boston's 6-4 win over Toronto that "the report's not necessarily accurate and there's no update tonight on David Ortiz."

Before the game, manager Terry Francona was cautious about putting Ortiz back in the lineup.

"I talked to David today," Francona said. "I think he was very upbeat. I think the medical people are also, but, at the same time, we sent him home to be careful. So to deviate from that plan now would be, in my opinion, stupid, and we're not going to be stupid."

Ortiz, the AL leader with 47 homers and 121 RBIs, was not in the clubhouse before the game.

He returned to Boston from the team's West Coast trip for evaluation after he felt heart palpitations before Monday night's game in Oakland. It was the second time in August that Ortiz was treated for the problem. He said he went through medical tests, and doctors determined his heart palpitations were related to stress and fatigue.

"My heart is fine. Last week I had some discomfort in my chest and went to the hospital to get checked out. Then in Oakland I felt the same thing but more frequently, so we decided to go back to the doctor," he said, speaking in Spanish.

Ortiz was examined at Massachusetts General Hospital, where his teammate, left-hander Jon Lester, remained Thursday for tests for enlarged lymph nodes. Francona said he talked with Lester and family members Thursday morning but gave no further information about the pitcher's health.

The Red Sox did not say what Lester was tested for, but pitcher Curt Schilling referred to the melanoma his wife dealt with several years ago.

"Having been in a situation where cancer was an operative word, it's an incredibly scary thing," Schilling said. "You're talking about a kid at the beginning of his life."

Lester was placed on the disabled list with a strained back Monday and was being tested to determine the cause of his back pain when the enlarged lymph nodes were identified, according to a statement from team medical director Dr. Thomas Gill. The Boston Herald first reported the enlarged lymph nodes on its Web site Wednesday night.

Lester is 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 81 1-3 innings.

The Red Sox returned to Boston on Thursday after losing six straight.

Left fielder Manny Ramirez has missed several games on the trip with a knee injury, and Francona did not put a timetable on when he will return. Center fielder Coco Crisp injured his shoulder making a diving catch Tuesday but batted leadoff Thursday.

Catcher Jason Varitek, shortstop Alex Gonzalez and outfielder Trot Nixon are on the disabled list. All were to make rehabilitation assignments with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Nixon was 0-for-4 with two putouts in seven innings Thursday night.

"I felt in fine in the field but I was not comfortable at the plate. My timing is off. My timing at the plate will determine when I can join the big club," he said in a statement released by the team. Nixon declined to speak with reporters after Pawtucket's 9-1 loss to Ottawa.

Nixon was scheduled to continue his rehab assignment Friday, joined by Varitek; Gonzalez was expected on Saturday. Francona said Varitek could start Monday against the Chicago White Sox.

Outfielder Wily Mo Pena received a cortisone shot on the injured wrist that has sidelined him and could return in "a couple of days," Francona said.