Foulke a late scratch at Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET, R.I. --Red Sox pitcher Keith Foulke was a last-minute scratch from his scheduled rehabilitation start on Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket because of a sore back.

Foulke, who has been on the disabled list since June 13 with right elbow tendinitis, warmed up for about 10 minutes before the game against Buffalo and then changed into street clothes after returning to the clubhouse.

"Hopefully this is not a weeklong thing, and he'll play catch," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said before Boston's game against the Los Angeles Angels. "We'll have him do it tomorrow and if he can't we'll do it the next day. As soon as he can play catch, then we'll get him out the next day and let him pitch."

Boston pitching coach Dave Wallace, who planned to monitor Foulke's outing, said the reliever needed treatment on his back. Foulke missed a week in June with a sore back.

"I'm not pitching," Foulke said when asked why he was scratched. "You can call it whatever you want. We'll let you know. I don't want to talk about it, really."

Foulke pitched one inning on Friday at Class-A Lowell and retired the side in order on 11 pitches. He was scheduled to throw 20 to 25 pitches for Pawtucket on Sunday.

The former closer is 2-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 29 relief appearances for Boston this season.

Foulke finished all four games of Boston's 2004 World Series victory.