David Ortiz (heels) is expected to begin playing in extended spring training games on Monday. If all goes well, he should be ready to join the Red Sox during the third week of April. Ortiz has been on the disabled list since March 31 with heel inflammation. He'll make a fine fantasy option when healthy.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said on WEEI on Wednesday that the "middle of the month" is a realistic timeframe for David Ortiz (heels) to be activated from the disabled list. Ortiz continues to make progress with his running program and could play in a minor league game as soon as next Monday. Jonny Gomes will continue to serve as the primary designated hitter during his absence while rookie Jackie Bradley Jr. will start in left field.

David Ortiz (heels) is hoping to begin playing in minor league rehab games by early next week. Ortiz was able to do some running on Monday and told reporters that his sore heels feel "more stable" now than they did for most of spring camp. The veteran designated hitter is aiming to return around mid-April.

Red Sox placed DH David Ortiz on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with inflammation in his heels. Ortiz has picked up the pace of his rehab in recent days and could be cleared to face live pitching in 1-2 weeks. It's possible he'll rejoin the Red Sox' lineup after that, though his timetable for returning remains a moving target.

David Ortiz (heels) is expected to begin a rehab assignment in 1-2 weeks. Ortiz has picked up the pace of his rehab in recent days, but is still bound to open the season on the disabled list. If he doesn't have any setbacks it's possible he could rejoin the Red Sox as soon as mid-April. His timetable for returning remains a moving target.

David Ortiz (heels) has picked up the pace of his rehab in recent days. "So he's making progress in terms of just volume and adding activities rather than what last week had in store in terms of hitting off a tee and some light soft toss," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "Based on the revised plan, he's moving along as laid out." If he doesn't have any setbacks, Ortiz could rejoin the Red Sox as soon as mid-April. More likely, though, is that it will be closer to May.

David Ortiz (heels) is scheduled to hit on the field and do some agility work on Wednesday. Red Sox manager John Farrell describes it as "solid progress," but Ortiz is still bound for the disabled list. While the Red Sox are holding out hope that he could join the lineup by mid-April, it's probably more realistic that he returns around May 1.

The Red Sox are hoping to have David Ortiz (heels) "on the field in some capacity" before Opening Day. There's still no timetable for when Ortiz will return to game action, but the new goal is to have him doing baseball activities on the field before the start of the season. Ortiz is fully expected to open the season on the disabled list, but he may be ready to return around mid-April

David Ortiz (heels) said he feels OK after taking 50 swings in the cage on Tuesday. It's a small sign of progress for the veteran slugger, who hadn't swung a bat in nine days due to continued discomfort in both of his heels. Ortiz is scheduled to work out on Wednesday, but it's not clear if he'll take more swings. And obviously running is still probably a ways off. He's slated to begin the season on the disabled list and there's no clear timetable on when he'll be ready to go.

David Ortiz (heels) took 50 swings in a cage Tuesday. It was his first time swinging a bat in nine days, and he reported feeling fine after the workout. Ortiz is expected to open the season on the 15-day disabled list, but he may be ready to return around mid-April. The veteran designated hitter has inflammation in both of his heels.