Papelbon will start Tuesday night
Francona sits Graffanino, Millar Monday
DETROIT --The Red Sox announced pitcher Jon Papelbon will start Tuesday night, taking the place of the injured Wade Miller.
Papelbon, who is already en route to Detroit, will be making his second major league start. He gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings in his major league debut against the Twins in Boston on July 31.
Since that start, the young righthander has excelled out of the bullpen for Triple-A Pawtucket. In three appearances, he’s pitched a total of five innings, giving up no hits, no runs, one walk and striking out six. In his most recent appearance, last Thursday at Scranton, he pitched three no-hit innings with four strikeouts.
More Red Sox news in advance of tonight’s series-opener in Detroit:
1. Johnny Damon, CF (returning after a strained hamstring)
2. Edgar Renteria, SS
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Jason Varitek, C
6. Roberto Petagine, 1B
7. Bill Mueller, 3B
8. Alex Cora, 2B
9. Gabe Kapler, RF
Francona said kept Tony Graffanino and Kevin Millar out tonight in order to get as many left-handers in the lineup as possible against Tigers righthander Sean Douglass, who is 4-2 with a 4.08 ERA in eight starts.
“He did very well,” Francona said. “He’ll do all things the team does with the exception of playing.”
Francona said he still doesn’t know when Nixon will begin a rehab assignment, but agreed with Nixon’s assessment that he’ll only need a few games in the minors before returning to the Red Sox.
