Beckett won't pitch Friday

May 16, 2007

Beckett won't pitch Friday

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff

Terry Francona announced this afternoon that Josh Beckett will not make his scheduled start on Friday because of the avulsion on his right middle finger. The Sox pitcher will instead throw a side session that day, which will determine whether he goes on the disabled list.

Francona said that Friday's starting pitcher will come from Pawtucket, but did not disclose the identity of the pitcher. One possibility is lefthander Kason Gabbard.

The Sox could also recall Devern Hansack, but only if Beckett goes on the disabled list, because of a 10-day roster rule.

In other news ...

Francona confirmed that Jon Lester will pitch Saturday in Ottawa for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, thus beginning a new 30-day rehab assignment (forearm cramping).

According to Francona, Lester will throw 50-55 pitches on Saturday.

"He thinks he's ready to throw 100 [pitches], which is a great sign, but we'll take it slow."

According to Francona, right fielder J.D. Drew checked in this morning after leaving last night’s game with a bruised back (he slammed into the right field wall) and said he's doing better than he expected.

Drew is out of the starting lineup, and Francona wasn’t sure whether he'd be available for pinch hitting duty tonight.

Drew told Francona a few minutes ago that he was no sorer now than he was after the game last night.

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