David Ortiz Watch: Game 3

By Maggie Cassidy, Globe Correspondent

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Greetings from Pawtucket, where Sox slugger David Ortiz is getting ready for his third straight night of rehabilitation practice with the AAA PawSox. The weather is a humid 92 degrees in Pawtucket, according to weather.com, and fans are beginning to trickle in to McCoy Stadium, which is sold out for tonight and tomorrow's games against the Toledo Mud Hens.

Ortiz and Sox manager Terry Francona announced yesterday that Ortiz plans to play all four nights, including tomorrow night, of the PawSox' series against Toledo. The minor league stint is part of his recovery process since he injured his left wrist (partially torn tendon sheath) in a 6-3 win over Baltimore May 31. He has been on the injured list since June 3.

The hosts have already taken the first two nights of this four-game series, beating Toledo 15-6 Thursday and 6-1 last night. (Yesterday's game was called due to rain in the bottom of the seventh inning.)

Ortiz has had some success of his own in the past couple days. His line in two days of rehab with the PawSox: 2 for 5 (.400), 4 RBIs, 2 walks, 3 runs, and no strikeouts. Oh, and two big homeruns: a solo shot on a 1-2 count in the fourth inning Thursday, and a three-run blast into the left-field seats in the fifth inning last night. We'll find out tonight if good things come in threes.

Starting lineups and more notes to come before the 6:05 p.m. start.