BOSTON — Coco Crisp is feeling better, so good that he is likely to play tonight when Tampa Bay visits Fenway for the first time all season.

Crisp took batting practice yesterday, from both sides of the plate, his first turn in the cage since injuring his left thumb when he dove for a ball in Seattle last Wednedsay. He reported much improvement .

“He’ll probably play (tonight). He did very well,” said manager Terry Francona. “Putting his glove on is about the only time he really feels it.”

Francona said he will speak to Crisp today before making a final decision. All signs point, though, toward his return. The Sox had been unsure about a time table for Crisp to return. Everything turned Sunday.

“He made some big gains (Sunday), which is always the hope,” Francona said. “The hope is this guy turns the corner quickly. It didn’t look like that two days ago. (Sunday) it did.”

It is not expected that Crisp’s return will mean Jacoby Ellsbury returns to Pawtucket. Ellsbury, who had a huge game last night (two hits, two walks, a stolen base, advancing two bases to score on a wild pitch), will remain with the team until relief pitcher Joel Piniero is activated after the All-Star break.

Schilling progressing

Also in the injury front, Curt Schilling did some throwing before the game, part of a testing program he underwent yesterday to determine his range of motion for the shoulder tendinitis that has put him on the disabled list. He made 35 throws. It is simply a first step with Schilling. He will have to do more work before he will be able to begin throwing off a mound.

Schilling had a busy day yesterday. His testing was done a little later than planned because Schilling was given permission to attend a function earlier in the day.

“He had an ALS thing he had to do,” Francona said, “with our blessing. … It’s something he probably needed to take care of. It means some pretty significant money to a nice cause.”

Schilling, of course, is heavily involved with raising money for the ALS Foundation, which is fighting for a cause for what is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Advice helps

Some work with pitching coach John Farrell apparently helped Kason Gabbard get back on track.

The lefty earned the pitching victory with 5 2/3 innings of work in which he allowed three hits and three runs.

“John and I worked on throwing over the top,” Gabbard reported. “Well, not necessarily throwing over the top, but getting on top of the ball and trying to extend it a bit. Just trying to finish it.”

“I felt a lot better than I did last game. I think I had better command of my two-seamer, my fastball in. My changeup was there like it usually is, and I threw some pretty good breaking stuff.”

Francona praised Gabbard’s off-speed pitches but said the lefty still needs to be more consistent with his fastball.

Lugo in leadoff spot

Julio Lugo was back in the lineup last night and batted leadoff. Francona did his best to downplay the focus on Lugo and his 0-for-31 slump.

“There’s got to be a balance, even when a guy is struggling,” Francona said. “You can’t manage like a fan. ”

Last night, Lugo went 0-for-2 with two walks.

He also had a sacrifice bunt in the third.

Extension with Sea Dogs

The Red Sox and Portland yesterday announced that Boston has extended its player-development contract with the Sea Dogs for four more seasons, meaning they will be part of the Sox’ farm system until at least 2012.

The Sea Dogs have embraced the union, building a likeness of Fenway’s Green Monster at their home stadium, Hadlock Field, and renaming the skyboxes at the field to honor former Red Sox greats. The defending Eastern League champions have set attendance records each year they’ve been affiliated with the Red Sox. Last year, the team averaged 6,538 fans at home.

Around the bases

Daisuke Matsuzaka yesterday was named Boston’s player of the month for June. The right-handed rookie pitcher had a 1.59 ERA with 42 strikeouts in five June starts, though he was just 2-2 because his teammates gave him little run support. The Sox scored just five runs in the five starts. ... Newly acquired Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen threw out one of the night’s ceremonial first pitches. ... The Red Sox, the City of Boston and the town of Lenox donated an ambulance to David Ortiz’s hometown of Haina, Dominican Republic. It is the first ambulance in the city of 140,000 ... The Red Sox are reminding fans that Storrow Drive and parts of Memorial Drive will be closed for the city’s Fourth of July celebration along the Charles River, and alternate routes should be taken by fans who will be attending the game today and tomorrow.

smcadam@projo.com