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Red Sox vs. Twins lineup: David Ortiz, Mike Napoli return

The Red Sox' injury concerns are (mostly) clearing up, as David Ortiz and Mike Napoli make their return to the lineup Thursday afternoon.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

David Ortiz and Mike Napoli are both back in action with better than a week to spare, batting third and sixth respectively as the Red Sox take on the Twins in JetBlue Park.

  1. Mookie Betts, CF
  2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  3. David Ortiz, DH
  4. Hanley Ramirez, LF
  5. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
  6. Mike Napoli, 1B
  7. Shane Victorino, RF
  8. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  9. Humberto Quintero, C

Starting Pitcher -- Wade Miley

The Red Sox had been pretty clear that the injuries Napoli and Ortiz were dealing with were nothing to worry about, but if you weren't even a little concerned after their absence from the lineup seemed to drag on, you're a more optimistic soul than I.

Now they're back, however, leaving the Red Sox lineup looking pretty Opening Dayish. Minus, of course, Christian Vazquez. And actually Ryan Hanigan as well. While Hanigan is not expected to be the Opening Day starter, he was in this lineup for the briefest of moments before being scratched for Humberto Quintero. No word on the reason behind the change, but with Vazquez having already dealt with some soreness earlier in March, there's just a little too much activity at the catching position to be totally comfortable just yet.

It's always something.

First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. ET, but there's no broadcast to be found.