Ellsbury targets Wednesday for return to Sox

BOSTON -- Jacoby Ellsbury could return to the Red Sox as soon as Wednesday for an Interleague game at Colorado.

"That's an optimistic view, but I'd hope we'd be able to get him some at-bats on that day," manager John Farrell said.

With the goal of playing in a few games before the regular season ends, Ellsbury has progressed faster than originally expected from a compression fracture in his right foot. He expects to be playing at full capacity in time for the playoffs.

"The goal is to [test my foot] before I play, so that will be the goal, to try to get all the stuff out of the way before I actually get in the game," Ellsbury said. "The doctors are very pleased; definitely ahead of schedule. The team, myself, feel very good about it."

Ellsbury hasn't played in a game since Sept. 5, but he's been hitting in the cage to stay sharp and doesn't expect an adjustment period.

"I think my timing will still be there," he said. "I think it's there now. Just doing all my drills down here felt good. First swing was a line drive."