Red Sox’ right fielder J.D. Drew, back in the lineup after complaining of a sore left quadriceps, can’t handle a hit by the Rays’ Carlos Pena during the fourth inning last night at Fenway Park.

AP / Winslow Townson

BOSTON — Brandon Moss underwent an appendectomy last night at Massachusetts General Hospital. According to the Sox, he was out of surgery by 11:15 and was doing well.

The rookie outfielder began feeling sick around 6 o’clock last night and was sent to the hospital to check out his condition.

Moss had been called up on April 26 for his second stint with Boston, replacing Sean Casey (strained hip) on the roster. He replaced injured J.D. Drew in last Tuesday’s game and started the next three games. In Friday night’s 7-3 win over the Rays, Moss went 2-for-4, including a homer, and he also threw out a runner at the plate.

“He was feeling ill and the medical team felt there was the possibility [it was the appendix] rather than just an abdominal flu,” said manager Terry Francona, adding that in retrospect, Moss’ performance Friday night “might be even more unbelievable.”

“He said he didn’t feel good, (but he) swung the bat good and threw the ball well,” said Francona.

Francona said he wasn’t sure what roster move would be made, or when it would be made, to offset Moss’ trip to the disabled list. Complicating the situation is that the Sox already have banged-up outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury (groin), Drew and Coco Crisp (knee, hamstring) who are on the active roster.

“We may elect to try to get through (today) and see how we’re situated,” said Francona. “That’s how we’re going to look at it. We don’t want to rush to make a move and then have somebody leave the game or someone be sore and have to make another move.”

Ellsbury’s return sparks offense

Make of this what you will.

Ellsbury missed the three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at the start of this homestand.

The top two hitters in the order in those games went a combined 0-for-23 (.000), with one walk. The first night, Crisp and Dustin Pedroia batted one-two, and the other two nights the tandem was Pedroia-Kevin Youkilis. The Sox scored a total of three runs in those three games.

Ellsbury returned to the lineup, batting leadoff, on Friday night, pushing Pedroia back down to the No. 2 slot. In those two games, the Ellsbury-Pedroia duo has gone a combined 9-for-17 (.529) with six runs scored, five RBI and three walks. In the two games, the Red Sox have scored 19 runs.

Health updates

Alex Cora (sore right elbow) will begin a three-day rehab stint in Pawtucket on Wednesday. Casey (sore hip) also will be joining the PawSox, arriving in McCoy Stadium for games Thursday and Friday.

Cora tested his elbow on double-play throws yesterday during batting practice, both from the shortstop and second-base positions. He also took batting practice.

The utility infielder will accompany the Sox to Detroit, where they will play a four-game series beginning tomorrow night. Cora said he would take grounders at shortstop and make relay throws for final tests of his elbow, and if all goes well, he will be at McCoy Stadium for a short rehab stint.

Casey has been taking batting practice for several days.

Drew’s a hit in his return to lineup

Drew, who left last Tuesday’s game because of a sore left quadriceps and missed the next three games, was back in the starting lineup last night. Drew went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI, and he also walked once.

It was Drew’s first multi-hit game in his last 11 starts. His last one was a 2-for-4 effort in Yankee Stadium on April 17. Drew, who was in a 4-for-31 skid entering last night’s game, appeared to be running fine. Running on the pitch, he was able to score from first on a double by Julio Lugo in the third inning.

Extra bases

Manny Ramirez knocked in two runs in the first inning, snapping an 11-game RBI drought, one shy of his career high. … David Ortiz notched his first three-hit game of the season. The Sox’ designated hitter had a pair of doubles, giving him four for the season. Ortiz, who smacked 52 doubles a year ago, has had a pair of two-double games this year. He lifted his batting average to a season-high .216. … Youkilis snapped an 0-for-14 stretch with a single in the sixth. … The Sox, who went three straight games without an extra-base hit earlier this week, banged out seven doubles last night. Boston has 12 extra-base hits in its last two games — 11 doubles and Moss’ homer. … Mike Lowell has had a double in each of his last four games.

smcadam@projo.com