The Boston Red Sox got positive news Tuesday on ailing outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury (hairline fracture in ribs) and Mike Cameron (abdominal strain), both of whom are making progress toward returning to the team.

Ellsbury, who has been out since an April 11 collision with Adrian Beltre, ran the bases Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona, and “as he ran, he did a lot better as he progressed.”

Francona said Ellsbury was not yet ready to return, but is “really improving.”

“In his words, the last 3-4 days have been significant improvement, so that’s good,” Francona said. “Hopefully the next 3-4 days, the same trend will continue.”

Francona said Cameron felt good after the first game of a Triple-A rehab assignment Monday night. He had a double, walk and run scored in four plate appearances.

“Mike had a solid night. He checked in with me last night, felt good,” Francona said. “He’s going to play center field today [for Pawtucket], will not play tomorrow, and then we’ll probably have him Thursday playing again.

“I think if everything goes according to plan, I think he feels like he probably needs four or five games. I don’t think that is unrealistic.”

Francona, however, wouldn’t put a timetable on when Cameron might return.

“We want to not put arbitrary dates on him. We want him to play when he’s ready to play. We don’t want to set him back.”