By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

SEATTLE — A few notes before the game:

• Ryan Sweeney took BP on the field early this afternoon and looked pretty good. He has been on the disabled list since June 17 with a stress fracture in his left big toe.

Sweeney has an orthotic he is wearing to take pressure off his toe and is feeling better. "I want to see how I feel after I run on it and wear spikes but it's definitely improving."

• Josh Beckett will be activated from the disabled list to start against the Mariners Saturday night. The righthander has not pitched since June 11 because of what the Red Sox termed “inflammation” in his right shoulder.

“If he’s healthy, I expect a good performance and it seems like he’s very healthy,” Bobby Valentine said.

Beckett is 4-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 12 starts. Beckett was shut down to rest his shoulder. He has thrown only one bullpen session since and ostensibly should be over his shoulder issues.

• Clay Buchholz did what was termed a light workout at Fenway Park, his first since going on the DL with esophagitis.

• Seattle placed outfielder Franklin Gutierrez on the seven-day concussion DL. He was struck in the head by an errant pickoff throw from Morales Thursday and spent the night in the hospital.

• Scott Podsednik was 0 for 3 with a walk as the DH for Pawtucket. It was his first rehab game.

• Daniel Bard had another rough outing for Pawtucket. He entered in the seventh inning. The inning went:

Single
F-8
Walk
Hit Batter
Walk (with the bases loaded)
Walk (with the bases loaded)

He threw 26 pitches, 9 strikes. You have to wonder how long the Red Sox will allow this to continue. Bard may be to a point where something else has to be considered given his inability to throw the ball over the plate.