Center of attention by Jared Carrabis
Cammy activated, D-Mac DFA'd, Ellsbury returning to CF?


ESPNBoston.com: Jacoby Ellsbury shifted from center field to left at the start of the season to accommodate new acquisition Mike Cameron, but now it appears Ellsbury could be headed back to center on a more regular basis.

Ellsbury, who came off the disabled list over the weekend after a rib injury sidelined him for more than a month, told WEEI.com on Monday night that he was making the move back to center when Cameron is activated off the DL on Tuesday

Multiple reports flooded in after Monday night's victory that the Red Sox had designated outfielder Darnell McDonald for assignment in order to make room for Mike Cameron, who has been out of action since April 18.

The Red Sox now have a ten-day window in which to trade, release or sit back and wait for McDonald to clear waivers, a scenario that manager Terry Francona is rooting for.

McDonald burst into Red Sox Nation's hearts on April 20, when he crushed a game-tying home run in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers, and followed up his dramatic homer with a walk-off wall ball to send Fenway home happy.

The 31-year-old outfielder departs from Boston, having hit .263 in 31 games for Boston, clubbing 3 HR and driving in 11.

With Jacoby Ellsbury returning to action before Cameron, Ellsbury had been getting his starts in his natural position of center field. Now that Cameron is returning to the Red Sox after hitting .333 in eight minor league games between double-A Portland and triple-A Pawtucket.

In his final minor league start on Sunday, Cameron went 3-for-5 with a walk-off home run, his third of his rehab assignment. His 1.184 OPS in the minors is telling enough to indicate that he's ready to go.

The only question raised now, is will Cameron be able to handle playing with the big green wall behind him in left?

When asked what he thought about flip-flopping with Ellsbury in the outfield, Cameron told WEEI.com, "Yeah, I should be OK. Yeah, I don't know, you'll have to talk to Tito."

As ESPNBoston points out, a move to left for Cameron would mean less moving around, thus, less chance to re-aggravate his abdominal injury that landed him on the disabled list in the first place.

In his eight minor league rehab starts, Cameron played five games in center, one in left and was the designated hitter in two games.

-Jared Carrabis

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Published on May 25, 2010

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