Red Sox Injury Update

The Red Sox are pretty banged up right now, but they've managed to win 4 of the last 6 and they've got an off day today and three Thursday's in September off...

RF JD Drew: Drew has now missed 6 games with a herniated disc in his back. Francona says it's something they've been aware of all season, but the surrounding muscles have been flaring up lately... Tito says they're hoping to avoid the DL, but if thing aren't better by the end of the off day, you may see a move... Kinda wish B-Moss was still here... but for now it looks like Coco, Bay and Ellsbury.

1B Sean Casey: Casey's been out wit ha stiff neck, but he says it's improving and he should be ready for the series in New York...

SP Josh Beckett: Beckett felt more tingling his his throwing arm and has officially been bumped from the Yankees series. He's now set to start on Friday against teh White Sox...

"Got some inflammation, and when you get some tingling, you're looking at the nerve," Tito said. "Beckett went out and threw real well and was going to do a side today."

"John [Farrell] and I, [assistant trainer] Mike Reinold, we were kind of sitting around here talking last night. The more we thought about it, we're thinking, we're trying to do everything in our power to make sure this guy is able to go out and pitch like he can pitch. We're probably being overcautious, but when it comes to somebody's arm and their future, I just think we need to do that."

RP David Aardsma: Aardsma was placed ont he 15-day DL and is scheduled to have an MRI in Boston today... David Pauley was called up from Pawtucket to take his spot... If Wake struggles in tomorrow's game against the Yankees, it could be Pauley that is first out of the pen...

3B Mike Lowell: Lowell (oblique) is scheduled to speak with medical director Dr. Thomas Gill today to get approval to head to New York.

SS Julio Lugo: Lugo (quadriceps) pulled his left quadriceps during a running session Wednesday, Aug. 20. Lugo was hoping to go on a rehab assignment at some point next week, but will head to Boston with Aardsma for another MRI instead... (snicker)

OF Jacoby Ellsbury: Ellsbury hit the right field wall pretty hard yesterday, but remained in the game. Th trainers spent a good eight minutes checking Ellsbury out, but Francona said after the game that most of that time was spent adjusting Ellsbury's contact - which had popped loose. Jacoby said he's hit walls harder before and finished the game with some scratches and sore shoulder...