Hanley Ramirez returns to Red Sox lineup following 6-game absence

The Boston Red Sox welcomed slugger Hanley Ramirez back to the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ramirez, who was cleared to return to action after Monday's MRI results came back negative, has missed six straight contests since getting hit in the left hand by a ball off the bat of teammate Xander Bogaerts. He's batting fourth and playing left field.

"(Ramirez) didn't feel completely confident that everything was cleared up in there,'' manager John Farrell said Monday. "But I think the MRI has given him some peace of mind that there's nothing structurally going on."

Ramirez is hitting .283/.330/.482 with a team-leading 15 homers and 38 RBIs in 67 games.

The last-place Red Sox are seeking their fourth-straight win and a series-clinching victory in the Canada Day matinee.