Victor Martinez could be activated as soon as the upcoming series against the Angels. (AP)

Both outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and catcher Victor Martinez could play in games as soon as Monday, Red Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters in Seattle.

While Ellsbury is slated to start a minor league rehab stint by playing in the Gulf Coast League next Monday and Tuesday (with the possibility of going to Triple-A Pawtucket later in the week), Francona told reporters there was “a possibility” that Martinez could be activated from the disabled list during the upcoming series in Anaheim next Monday through Wednesday.

Martinez cleared an important hurdle on Saturday, catching a bullpen session thrown by Clay Buchholz without experiencing any pain. Martinez has been wearing a glove that is designed to give extra support to his broken left thumb, and he reported that the session with Buchholz was pain-free.

“The big concern was catching, and definitely after today, I feel great. It feels good just to get the feeling, and knowing that I’m pretty close to coming back,” Martinez told reporters.

The catcher added that he also felt less discomfort while hitting in batting practice, particularly from the right side, than he had earlier in the week. He has been able to move his hands closer together after having to spread them out in previous batting practice sessions. That, of course, raises questions about whether his thumb will have healed enough to permit him to perform at his customary standards, but the Sox are optimistic that he can still produce despite any lingering pain.

“I don’t doubt that he’s going to feel this,” Francona told reporters. “He hits a ball and doesn’t catch it clean or he hits a ball on the end of the bat, he’s going to feel it for a while. I don’t think that means he can’t be effective.”

Martinez will spend Sunday in the bullpen, catching pitchers as they warm up. If that goes without incident, then it would appear that the catcher could be activated as soon as Monday in Anaheim.

“It’s not in concrete but it’s certainly a possibility,” Francona told reporters. “When he’s ready, we’ll let him play.”

Ellsbury has played in just nine games this year due to five non-displaced rib fractures. He is hitting .250/.267/.341/.608. Martinez, who has been out since suffering a fracture in the tip of his left thumb on June 27, is hitting .289/.344/.480/.824.

While the Red Sox have remained among the league leaders in most offensive categories (runs, OBP, OPS, homers, etc.) in Ellsbury’s absence, the team has found it more difficult to make up for the Martinez’ production. Since Martinez went on the D.L., Sox catchers have represented a significant lineup liability, particularly with Jason Varitek also on the sidelines. Fill-ins Kevin Cash, Gustavo Molina and Dusty Brown are hitting a combined .169 with a .225 OBP, zero extra-base hits and two runs batted in.

The Sox have explored the trade markets for both outfielders and catchers, the return of a healthy Martinez and Ellsbury could impact that pursuit.

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