Papi could return to lineup by middle of April

NEW YORK -- Slugger David Ortiz is starting to turn a corner in his rehab from a right Achilles' heel injury, and he could be back in the Red Sox's lineup in a couple of weeks.

"We're still hopeful of a target timeframe of sometime middle, third week of April," said manager John Farrell.

Ortiz will fly back to Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday to continue his exercises there and hopes to play in an extended spring training game there.

Not long after, Ortiz should start an official rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket.

"In talking with David, I think he'd feel comfortable with 25, 30 at-bats, likely to be taking place at Pawtucket," Farrell said. "When that rehab assignment begins remains to be seen."

Ortiz originally injured his Achilles tendon on July 20. Ortiz made a one-game comeback on Aug. 24, but he aggravated the injury and hasn't played since.