Injury updates, etc.

There is injury news about three Red Sox, all seemingly pretty good for Boston. Right fielder J.D. Drew thinks he might be back in time to play the Rays, Kevin Youkilis's back is feeling good enough to play while everything is fine at home, and David Aardsma will pitch in a Single A Lowell Spinners playoff game either Monday or Tuesday.

Both Youkilis and manager Terry Francona felt the day off he spent yesterday in Boston handling a personal matter may be a good thing -- had Youkilis been available, he may have forced himself back into the lineup too soon. Tonight, he is playing first and batting cleanup.

"Maybe missing a day like that helps him, ends up being good for his back," Francona said. "You try to rush somebody back to play a game when they’re not ready, so maybe there was some good that come out of something that was – again, the personal stuff, you worry, especially when it’s kids involved. Everything’s OK there, which is great."

Aardsma pitched live batting practice to Drew before the game, and both players said it went well. Aardsma's groin injury gave him no trouble.

"Pain-free," Francona said. "It looked like he was fine throwing the ball. He said he didn’t feel it. We just need to determine what’s in his best interest. They play at home Monday, and it’s probably easier. But if it’s in his best interest to pitch Tuesday, that’s what we’ll do."

Drew joked about the awkwardness of hitting off of a pitcher who hasn't thrown in weeks while he hasn't swung live in weeks. Overall, though, it worked, and his back felt better today.

"It’s feeling decent," Drew said. "We’re headed in the right direction. It’s probably a little better than it was yesterday."

When, then, might he return? The homestand, perhaps?

"I’m definitely hoping," Drew said. "That’s kind of what I’m engaging myself for, trying to get a rhythm going over the next couple days and really get good and loosened up. Get some repetition in.

"You can only do so much when your body guards a little bit here and there. More than anything now, it’s running full speed, getting breaks on balls. It’s maybe the thing that I’ve got to be ready to do, standing flat-footed for two to three innings before you actually get a ball hit to you."

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Triple A Pawtucket had its playoff game against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre postponed today, so Bartolo Colon will make his rehab start tomorrow instead. The extra day will not take him off schedule to pitch one of the double-header games Saturday against Toronto. And he will still oppose Phil Hughes in the International League playoff game. Insert your own joke there.

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The Rangers made a change to their lineup because Milton Bradley experienced some soreness in his left wrist. He is available to pinch hit, but won't start. (Bradley is 2 for 14 in his career against Tim Wakefield.) The new Texas lineup:

1. Frank Catalanotto, DH
2. Brandon Boggs, LF
3. Michael Young, SS
4. Josh Hamilton, CF
5. Hank Blalock, 3B
6. Gerald Laird, C
7. Chris Davis, 1B
8. Nelson Cruz, RF
9. German Duran, 2B
-- Matt Harrison, SP