Jacoby Ellsbury Set to Rejoin Red Sox After Shoulder Injury

The Boston Red Sox will be getting some much-needed second-half help in the form of Jacoby Ellsbury.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, Ellsbury will be making his return to the lineup very soon:

"

jacoby ellsbury will be activated by #redsox tomorrow

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 12, 2012"

The 28-year-old outfielder hasn't played since injuring his shoulder while trying to break up a double play on April 13. Coincidentally, he will return against the same team that he was injured against, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Prior to his injury, Ellsbury was struggling, hitting .192 with zero homers and three RBI in 26 at-bats.

This news comes as a huge relief to the Red Sox organization and fanbase, as the team has missed Ellsbury's production in the lineup, as well as his play in center field.

Somehow, Bobby Valentine's club has been able to produce runs without the runner-up for the 2011 American League MVP Award. This season, the Red Sox are second in runs and sixth in batting average.

The Red Sox have done well to tread water this season despite playing without the catalyst of their offense, playing .500 ball through the first 86 games of the 2012 season.

Last season, Ellsbury batted .321 with 32 homers, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases for the Red Sox, who finished in third place in the AL East and missed the playoffs.

Ellsbury isn't the only Boston player to have been bitten by the injury bug.

Carl Crawford has yet to see the field this season due to left wrist surgery and a groin strain. There is good news on that front as well, as the AP reports (via the Washington Post) that Crawford is scheduled to start in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday night.

To complete the trifecta, third baseman Will Middlebrooks is set to make his return on Friday night alongside Ellsbury, according to CBS Sports' Dayn Perry. The 23-year-old rookie is batting .298 with 10 homers and 37 RBI this season but missed the team's final seven games before the All-Star break due to a hamstring injury.