Francona shares mound of medical reports

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. That was it. The only two Red Sox starting pitchers -- including those on the current 25-man roster and the disabled list -- whose injury status wasn't discussed with manager Terry Francona before last night's game against Oakland.

Everyone else's health was up for consideration. And, when it was added up, it seemed there was no bad news, but no great news, either.

So here they are, the walking wounded:

David Wells: Wells, who seemed questionable to return this season, or ever pitch again, appears to be closer. Though Wells has maintained his media silence, Francona reported the lefthander has been throwing long and his right knee isn't getting worse. ``We're close enough where we can start thinking about a side day, depending on how his knee reacts," Francona said. ``Maybe even within the week. We'll see." It remains to be seen when Wells can actually get out and throw a side session, in preparation for a long shot return to the rotation.

Matt Clement: Clement (biceps tendinitis) did not do any throwing over the All-Star break, instead focusing on his strength program. He was scheduled to throw at 60 feet yesterday.

Tim Wakefield: On his way out of the clubhouse after batting practice yesterday, Wakefield said he was en route to check with the doctor to establish in more detail the problems with his back, which he compared Saturday to being stuck with a knife. He said it feels ``good, not great" after extra rest because of the All-Star break.

Curt Schilling: The righthander appears to be fine after being hit on the right elbow by a line drive in Sunday's 19-inning game against the White Sox.

Lenny DiNardo: DiNardo (strained neck) was placed on the 60-day DL yesterday, but that's no cause for concern. DiNardo, who said he's doing significantly better, had to be placed on the 60-day to make room on the 40-man roster for call-up Craig Breslow. DiNardo is scheduled to start today for Triple A Pawtucket, the 54th day of his stint (retroactive to May 22).

Keith Foulke: Not a starting pitcher, but we'll throw him in for good measure. ``Foulke has been throwing with good arm speed, good zip on the ball, he still feels that in his elbow, at least he did before the break," Francona said.

Breslow made the International League All-Star team, but arrived at the festivities to find himself scheduled for a side session, which seemed odd to him. He figured he had been traded or would soon be heading to Boston. And with Jason Johnson -- 7 innings, 10 hits, 4 runs, and the win for Single A Wilmington Wednesday -- packed off to the minors after two unimpressive starts with the big club, Breslow replaced him on the 25-man roster. ``Surprised, excited, anxious all at the same," Breslow said. ``Obviously, things have been going well up here and you don't want to tinker with things too much, so hopefully I'll fit in." The lefthander, a product of Trumbull, Conn., and a 2002 graduate of Yale, has pitched well in Triple A after three call-ups to the majors, including his debut with the Padres last season. Though the team has to make another roster move Monday -- likely Breslow will return to Pawtucket and be replaced by Kyle Snyder -- the Sox brought him up for the weekend. Francona said he wasn't sure how Breslow would fit in, as Javier Lopez remains the first lefty out of the bullpen, but said he would let the game dictate his usage. And, if nothing else, he's already found a way to endear himself to Red Sox fans. ``I grew up in a family of Mets fans," said Breslow, 5-1 with a 3.40 ERA at Pawtucket and 50 strikeouts in 45 innings. ``But with that came a deeply rooted hatred for the Yankees. I guess that crosses over."

Wily Mo Peña was not at the ballpark, despite the assumption that he would be the one to take Johnson's roster spot. With Peña having been hit on the hand by pitches in two games this week, according to the Providence Journal, the PawSox had given him some additional rest. And with his return to the big club still unclear, Francona wanted him to get more at-bats in Triple A over the weekend as he attempts to return from surgery to remove the hamate bone in his left wrist. ``I know he's probably starting to get antsy down there, but 10, 12, 15 more at-bats will do him more good than sitting here," Francona said . . . Pitching coach Dave Wallace returned to the team, appearing on the field in full uniform. Wallace, who uses a cane, was laughing and joking during batting practice and using a bat to get around in place of the cane . . . After the first inning, the Red Sox put a ``Get well soon, Peter Gammons" message on the Jumbotron. Gammons, an ESPN baseball analyst, suffered a brain aneurysm June 27 . . . The Sox asked fans to use public transportation over the next couple of days because of the extra traffic congestion around the city after the closure of the Interstate 90 connector . . With last night's game checking in at 4 hours 23 minutes, the Sox have played 30 innings and 10 hours 42 minutes over their past two games . . . David Ortiz's third-inning double was the 250th of his career. Ortiz went 2 for 4 with two walks and one run scored . . . The loss ended the Sox' nine-game home winning streak, their longest since a 14-game tear between July 19 and Aug. 26, 2005.